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

In response to a question from the Manager of Opposition Business today that went to a quote from Mr Donald Trump, former President of the United States, in an interview with Nigel Farage, I wish to add this comment with regard to the position of Kevin Rudd as the ambassador of Australia to the United States.

On 11 February, just a month ago, the Leader of the Opposition was asked by Andrew Clennell on Sky News the following: 'Could you work with Kevin Rudd as an ambassador, or would you seek to replace him if you were elected?' The Leader of the Opposition responded as follows: 'I mean, what grounds would there be to replace him? I would work very closely with him. I know him, Kevin. I caught up with him when he was last in Australia, and he came to give us an update in relation to what he was seeing in Washington. He's represented his country well, and we are a few steps down the road. But I think for most Australians they get it. The importance of the relationship with America is at its height, more so than any period since the Second World War. That's a fairly significant statement, but that's exactly as the Prime Minister puts it as well.'

It is, indeed, Mr Speaker, the way that this Prime Minister puts, it because the relationship with the United States is very important. It should be beyond the sort of cheap politics that we saw earlier today.

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