2 weeks Ago By Caleb Taylor
Liberal Senator Jane Hume has taken a light-hearted jab at US Ambassador Kevin Rudd as questions were raised about his ability to continue in the role if Donald Trump returns as US president. Rudd was appointed to the ambassadorship in March last year but before his appointment, the former Labor prime minister made a number of scathing criticisms of Trump. WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Jane Hume and Claire O’Neil join Sunrise for Hot Topics.
Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today In 2017, Rudd publicly called Trump “nuts” and then in 2020 labelled him the “most destructive president in history” and a “traitor to the West” after he praised Russian President Vladimir Putin. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has confirmed Rudd would remain in the role regardless of the outcome of the US election on Wednesday (AEDT). On Wednesday, Hume joined Housing Minister Clare O’Neil and Monique Wright for Hot Topics on Sunrise , where both politicians were questioned over Rudd’s comments and his ability to continue to be effective in the role.
“Is it going to be difficult for our ambassador (Rudd) to do business with the US government if Trump wins?” Wright asked. But O’Neil deflected the question. “Ambassador Rudd is not just one of the finest foreign policy minds in Australia but actually in the world and he’s done a lot of work to help Australia prepare for whatever eventuates out of the election today,” O’Neil said.
O’Neil said the US election was a “consequential moment for the world”, adding: “Ambassador Rudd has done a fantastic job here and he will do a fantastic job here and he will do a fantastic job no matter who is elected president.” Wright then turned to Hume. “Jane 50 per cent chance it could be Donald Trump in power.
Would you keep Kevin Rudd there as ambassador if Trump gets in or who would you prefer?” “Kevin Rudd is one of the brightest minds in foreign policy, we know that because he has told us many, many times,” Hume replied, clearly taking a dig. “In fact, he has been spruiking his own book in the last few days which is an unusual thing to do, I would imagine just before a US election,” the opposition senator said. However Hume did praise Rudd for his efforts over the past 18 months or so.
“He has certainly done some good work around the US, the AUKUS agreements and around defence contract ties, that is terrific, good news, but we know he has a very close relationship with Anthony Albanese. “Anthony Albanese and the government (will need to) make a call as to whether Ambassador Rudd can deepen and progress the relationship with the US or whether it would be better to put in another Ambassador.” Earlier in the conversation, both Hume and O’Neil praised Australia’s enduring relationship with the United States, which both politicians stressed was not down to the appointment of one person.
“Australia and the US are firm friends and partners, and we have been for many, many decades. Those relationships are not about one person or one individual on either side, they are about the strength of the connection between millions of people in this country and the US — so I don’t think we have any question on those bonds,” O’Neil said. Hume agreed.
“Claire is right, the relationship that Australia has with the US is an enduring one, both strategically and economically and that will persist no matter who is sitting in the White House,” she said..
