Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

This is what the Leader of the Opposition said on the appointment of Mr Kevin Rudd, a former Australian Prime Minister, as Ambassador to the United States: 'We welcome the appointment of Kevin Rudd to the United States.' When Joe Hockey, a predecessor, was appointed, he said this: 'I'm sure the Americans will give him a warm welcome.' Those opposite know that whether it is Kevin Rudd in the United States or Stephen Smith as High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, who is currently here as a result of the AUKMIN meetings and who I hosted last evening—I'll host the AUKMIN delegates, both the defence and foreign ministers, including former prime minister David Cameron, at the Lodge tomorrow and I'll be very proud to do so—when we engage, particularly with our AUKUS allies, the idea that we have a cheap-shot question like that diminishes the opposition and says everything about why this bloke is not fit to be the Prime Minister of Australia.

Government members interjecting—

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