Sussan Ley Walks Back Calls for Kevin Rudd to be Sacked as Ambassador to US
After earlier commenting that Kevin Rudd's position as ambassador to the US was "untenable" following comments from US President Donald Trump, Australian opposition leader Sussan Ley has distanced herself from her previous statement. Ley had expressed concerns about Rudd's comments from 2020 describing Trump as "the most destructive president in history", but has since acknowledged the role as a "big job" and stated that Rudd is the prime minister's choice for the position.
Key Takeaways:
- Sussan Ley initially expressed concerns about Kevin Rudd's position as ambassador to the US following comments from US President Donald Trump.
- Ley stated that Rudd's position was "untenable" due to a reported joke from Trump that he doesn't like Rudd and "probably never will".
- Ley has since walked back her comments, acknowledging the role as a "big job" and stating that Rudd is the prime minister's choice for the position.
- The meeting between Trump and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese aimed to break China's stronghold on the critical minerals market.
- Former shadow finance minister Jane Hume described calls for Rudd to be removed as "a little bit churlish" and questioned the severity of the criticism.
- Hume praised Rudd's work on critical minerals and rare earths, stating that it was "good" and a "team Australia moment".
- Albanese expressed confidence in Rudd's abilities, stating that he is doing a "fantastic job" as ambassador.
Statistics:
- Kevin Rudd has been the Australian ambassador to the US since December 2022.
- Rudd's 2020 comments describing Trump as "the most destructive president in history" sparked controversy and led to Trump's reported joke about Rudd at the press conference.
Sources:
- Sussan Ley
- Sussan Ley
- Telephone interview with Jane Hume
- Press conference featuring Anthony Albanese, Sussan Ley, and Jane Hume
- Foreign Affairs Department
- Nigel Farage
- Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP