‘Trump Whisperer’ Joe Hockey calls time on national service
Ambassador to Washington Joe Hockey has announced he will end 27 years in public life next January.
For Joe Hockey, playing golf with Donald Trump was never a relaxing pastime. It was here, on the luscious greens of Trump’s own courses, that the President would vent his spleen to Australia’s ambassador in Washington about Alexander Downer’s role in triggering the Russia investigation or ask whether he could trust then prime minister Malcolm Turnbull.
These were the moments Hockey had to tread most carefully on behalf of Australia. But these were also the moments the former Liberal treasurer excelled at, not to mention the absurdly long putt he once sank in front of the leader of the free world.
Hockey, who announced yesterday he would not seek an extension to his four-year post when it ends in January, has been a unique ambassador for his country for his ability to connect with the most unique US president and White House in modern times.
From the time he called up Greg Norman to get Trump’s number for Turnbull after the US election, to his key role in getting Australia excepted from the President’s steel and aluminium tariffs, Hockey has been the key conduit between Australia and the White House, a Trump Whisperer.
But Hockey says that four years as ambassador and 27 years in public life will be enough. He maintains it was his decision alone not to seek an extension to his term as Australia’s ambassador in Washington and that it was unrelated to the possibility of a Labor victory at the coming election.
It’s understood Bill Shorten had indicated some time ago to Hockey an extension of his post may be possible if Labor won, although Labor foreign affairs spokeswoman Penny Wong has appeared less enthusiastic.
In an exclusive interview with The Australian yesterday Hockey said he made up his own mind several weeks ago and contacted the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to say he would be leaving next January. “I was always committed to four years. That is what Malcolm Turnbull and I agreed to. My view is whoever is the prime minister has a right to choose the representative, and hopefully I can leave the relationship in really good shape.”
There had been speculation a Labor government might extend Hockey’s term for another 12 months to ensure continuity until the US presidential election in November next year. Such bipartisanship had been shown previously when prime minister Tony Abbott extended the term of Labor-appointed ambassador in Washington Kim Beazley.
Although a highly effective envoy, he has not always enjoyed a close relationship with Wong, who will be foreign minister if Labor wins. Hockey said he would pursue opportunities in the private sector either in New York or Australia. “I’m 53 and my children are young and there is another career in me,” he says.
His departure will fuel speculation about who Labor might appoint to the key post. Former federal ministers Stephen Conroy and Stephen Smith are among names that have attracted speculation. Wayne Swan and Greg Combet have also been floated.
Hockey is seen inside the Trump administration as a successful and well-connected envoy and has used unconventional means to gain access to close Trump advisers.
Cameron Stewart is also US contributor for Sky News Australia
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