Penny Wong to represent Australia at Donald Trump’s inauguration

Federal Foreign Minister Penny Wong will represent Australia as Donald Trump officially returns to power next week. See what is on her agenda and who else is expected to attend.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong will represent Australia at Donald Trump’s inauguration next week and is set to hold talks with key members of his administration as he returns to power.

She will be joined by Kevin Rudd, Australia’s ambassador to the US, as he hopes to brush off the controversy sparked by his previous criticisms of the President-elect and fuelled by suggestions from Mr Trump and his allies that he may not last in his top diplomatic post.

Billionaire box king Anthony Pratt will also attend Mr Trump’s inauguration on January 20, with his $US1.1m donation to the festivities in Washington DC set to buy him exclusive access to events including a dinner the night before with Mr Trump and his wife Melania.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong pictured during a visit to the US in August 2024. Picture: Ting Shen / AFP

Senator Wong said she was honoured to be invited to attend Mr Trump’s inauguration.

“It is a demonstration of the steadfast alliance between Australia and the United States,” she said.

“I am also looking forward to meeting with members of the Trump administration and Congress during my visit to Washington. The United States is Australia’s vital ally, closest global partner, and most important strategic relationship.”

“This early visit will be an important opportunity to discuss how we can advance the benefits of our strong economic and security partnership and expand our co-operation.”

Some heads of state have also been invited to see Mr Trump be sworn in as just the second president in US history to serve non-consecutive terms.

Kevin Rudd, Australia’s ambassador to the US, is also expected to attend the inauguration.

Javier Milei and Giorgia Meloni, his close allies from Argentina and Italy, are expected to attend. Chinese President Xi Jinping has also been invited but is likely to skip the event.

Senator Wong will attend on behalf of Australia as Anthony Albanese campaigns ahead of the federal election, which is due to be held by May.

The Prime Minister spoke with Mr Trump after his stunning election victory two months ago, with the Republican telling the Labor leader they would have a “perfect friendship”.

The Albanese government is also hoping to hold a meeting of the Quad foreign ministers in Washington DC alongside the inauguration, with Japan’s foreign minister also on the guest list. Mr Trump’s incoming Secretary of State Marco Rubio has so far adhered to conventions during the transition and steered clear of formal meetings with his overseas counterparts.

Australian billionaire Anthony Pratt hosted 700 people for a party at Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in December 2024. Picture: John Stensholt

In the wake of the former president’s election victory, Dr Rudd drew renewed criticism for his attacks on Mr Trump – before he was appointed as Australia’s representative in the US – as a “traitor to the West” and “the most destructive president in history”.

But the Albanese government is hoping his networking among Republicans will pay off in a bid to shore up the AUKUS defence pact and spare Australia from the 78-year-old’s plans for universal tariffs.

Prior to the election, Dr Rudd held talks with several key members of the President-elect’s incoming administration, including Mr Rubio, national security advisor Mike Waltz, Treasury secretary Scott Bessent, FBI director Kash Patel, and CIA director John Ratcliffe.

Originally published as Penny Wong to represent Australia at Donald Trump’s inauguration