Kevin Rudd has ‘zero plans’ to exit Asia Society job

Kevin Rudd has moved to kill speculation that he will be appointed as Australia’s ambassador to the US, saying he has ‘zero plans’ to leave his job as head of the Asia Society.

Asia Society president and former prime minister Kevin Rudd. Picture: AFP

Kevin Rudd has moved to kill speculation that he will be appointed as Australia’s ambassador to the US, declaring that he has “zero plans” to leave his New York-based million-dollar job as head of the Asia Society.

The former prime minister’s statement on his zero plans to leave his position as global president of the Asia Society comes as he expands the role of the US think-tank and his own credentials as a China expert.

Even before the Labor government was elected in May, there was speculation that Anthony ­Albanese would appoint Mr Rudd, twice Labor prime minister and foreign minister, as the ambassador in Washington DC. Mr Albanese supported Mr Rudd’s return as Labor prime minister in 2013 and served as deputy prime minister to Mr Rudd.

Two weeks ago, former Labor foreign and defence minister in the Rudd and Gillard governments Stephen Smith was appointed as Australia’s high commissioner to the UK. The London and Washington posts are traditionally filled with political appointments.

Former NSW Labor premier and foreign minister Bob Carr kicked off a new round of speculation last week when he suggested Mr Rudd’s expertise in China policy would make him welcome in the US as Australia’s ambassador. For the first time, Mr Rudd has formally responded to the speculation in a statement from a spokesman to The Australian and said he was “very happy in New York” and has “zero plans” to leave.

This is the first formal indication from Mr Rudd that he is not planning to accept any ambassadorial post from the new Labor government and will spark more speculation about the key Washington appointment at a critical time.

Mr Rudd’s statement also refers to the expansion in his expertise on China and Chinese President Xi Jinping. “Mr Rudd is very happy in New York, where he runs what has become a premier US think-tank, the Asia Society Policy Institute,” it said.

It also said he was working on expanding the Centre for China Analysis within the Asia Society to make it the biggest dedicated think-tank on Chinese domestic, foreign and climate policy in the US. “For these reasons, Mr Rudd has zero plans to leave his position as global president of the Asia Society,” the statement said.