Election 2022: Kevin Rudd rejects Washington role as party sources stand by their story

Kevin Rudd appears to have ruled out accepting the job of Australia’s ambassador to Washington if Labor wins the election.

Former prime minister Kevin Rudd. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Kevin Rudd appears to have ruled out accepting the job of Australia’s ambassador to Washington if Labor wins the election, saying he “won’t be leaving” his position as chief executive of a New York-based think tank.

The former Labor prime minister was commenting after The Australian reported that Anthony Albanese had told some senior party colleagues he favoured appointing Mr Rudd to the nation’s top diplomatic post.

Mr Albanese on Tuesday denied having any discussions with Mr Rudd about appointing him as Australia’s next ambassador to Washington if Labor wins the election – but the Opposition Leader left open the prospect that Mr Rudd could score the job.

Late on Tuesday, Mr Rudd ­issued a statement through his spokesman which appeared to rule out accepting any diplomatic position if Labor wins office.

His spokesman said: “Mr Rudd already has a job in New York as president and CEO of an American think tank, the Asia Society, which has 15 offices around the world including Washington. He won’t be leaving it.”

The Australian’s report was based on Labor sources, supporters of Mr Albanese’s leadership, who recalled him expressing his preference for Mr Rudd as the ­successor to current ambassador Arthur Sinodinos if Labor wins.

They stood by their recollection on Tuesday.

Labor is divided about whether Mr Rudd should be given the US ambassadorship or any diplomatic post. While some argue he has solid foreign policy credentials and would serve Australia well, others fear his status as a former PM and record of speaking out on policy issues could cause problems for an Albanese government.

Mr Albanese said on Brisbane radio on Tuesday: “I’ve had no ­discussions about anyone being an ambassador to any place. It’s complete nonsense.”

But the Opposition Leader did not rule out appointing Mr Rudd.

He said he expected Mr Rudd would assist Labor’s campaign. He said he was always happy to be seen with him and other former Labor PMs Paul Keating and Julia Gillard, but there were “no plans at this point in time”.

Earlier on Tuesday, before his spokesman’s statement was issued, Mr Rudd took to Twitter, calling The Australian’s story “total garbage” and saying he had sent a letter to the “toothless Australian Press Council”.

In the letter, also posted on Twitter, the former Labor prime minister claimed incorrectly that The Australian had reported it had been “decided that I will be commissioned as ambassador to the United States”.

He said he had not agreed to serve as ambassador to the US, and no such offer had been made.

The Australian did not report Labor had decided the matter, or that discussions had been held with Mr Rudd about representing Australia in Washington.

Before publication, The Australian asked Mr Albanese on Monday if he recalled telling senior party colleagues he favoured appointing Mr Rudd as ambassador to Washington if Labor was elected. Mr Albanese was also asked if he and Mr Rudd had had a discussion about Washington or any other post. Mr Albanese declined to comment at the time.

The Australian also sought comment from Mr Rudd, and from his media adviser.

Former Labor leader Bill Shorten told the Nine Network on Tuesday that Australia “could do worse in Washington than Mr Rudd”. He said Mr Rudd was a ­distinguished representative and spokesman, had taken a strong ­interest in global affairs and was “certainly qualified for the job”.

Mr Shorten dismissed any suggestion he was interested in the Washington ambassadorship, saying he was focused on his frontbench portfolio. “No,” he said. “I’m running in this election. I am interested in the NDIS.”

Mr Albanese and Mr Rudd have been close since they were both opposition MPs during the Howard years.