PM to recommend defence department boss as next US ambassador; says Trump's Afghanistan comments 'completely unacceptable'
The Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced that veteran public servant Greg Moriarty will be recommended to the Governor-General to be Australia's ambassador to the United States, replacing the outgoing ambassador Kevin Rudd.
Moriarty is a former chief of staff to Malcolm Turnbull and has served in various roles within the Defence Department, including as secretary of the department. He is seen as a strong choice for the role.
Albanese said that Rudd will finish his term on 31 March and can "look back with real pride" at taking Aukus from an idea into a reality, as well as critical minerals deals and superannuation investment in the US.
The PM also spoke about Donald Trump's comments about Nato-aligned soldiers including Australians staying off the frontlines in Afghanistan. Albanese said that these comments were "completely unacceptable".
Trump had previously suggested that Australian soldiers might not be putting themselves at risk enough, but he later walked back some of his comments and praised British soldiers.
Albanese pointed out that Australian soldiers have been serving bravely in Afghanistan for many years, and their families deserve absolute respect and admiration.
The Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced that veteran public servant Greg Moriarty will be recommended to the Governor-General to be Australia's ambassador to the United States, replacing the outgoing ambassador Kevin Rudd.
Moriarty is a former chief of staff to Malcolm Turnbull and has served in various roles within the Defence Department, including as secretary of the department. He is seen as a strong choice for the role.
Albanese said that Rudd will finish his term on 31 March and can "look back with real pride" at taking Aukus from an idea into a reality, as well as critical minerals deals and superannuation investment in the US.
The PM also spoke about Donald Trump's comments about Nato-aligned soldiers including Australians staying off the frontlines in Afghanistan. Albanese said that these comments were "completely unacceptable".
Trump had previously suggested that Australian soldiers might not be putting themselves at risk enough, but he later walked back some of his comments and praised British soldiers.
Albanese pointed out that Australian soldiers have been serving bravely in Afghanistan for many years, and their families deserve absolute respect and admiration.
I don't get why Trump gotta make those comments about Aussie soldiers in Afghanistan... like, what's the big deal? We're just trying to help people over there, you know? 
And then he later praises British soldiers? That just sounds like a bunch of double talk if you ask me. I mean, shouldn't we be praised for supporting our allies rather than calling them out? 
Anyway, I hope Moriarty does a great job as ambassador to the US - we need someone with experience in defence to navigate those tricky relationships! 
?! I mean, like, seriously, who does he think he is? Our PM is totally right to call out those comments as completely unacceptable 
. I'm hyped to see what this new ambassador does in the US! 
it's not just about the comments themselves, but what they show about the kind of leader you are... if aussies like me have to question the loyalty of our own soldiers because of some guy from the us, something's seriously wrong. and now we're sending one of our top defence guys to the states to shake hands with trump and see if he can fix things? 
anyway, it's not like we haven't seen this kind of rhetoric before from american politicians, but hey, at least albanese is trying to set a better tone for australia's diplomatic efforts in the us. and let's be real, moriarty is a pretty safe choice - he's got the right amount of experience and doesn't seem too flashy or attention-seeking like some other folks we've seen in the role 
. He did a great job leading Aukus into reality and securing some big deals with the US. But what I don't get is why Trump had to go and say those hurtful comments about Australian soldiers in Afghanistan 
. It's like, come on mate, we're sending our kids off to war to keep people safe, they deserve respect not criticism! 
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. It's about time someone called him out on his nonsense! Greg Moriarty seems like a solid choice to represent us in the States, though - he's got some serious experience under his belt 
. Can't wait to see how this new ambassador shakes things up 
. Rudd's gonna finish strong, btw - Aukus and minerals deals are some major wins 
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. He seems like a solid choice for the role. But what really got me was how PM Albanese took on Trump's comments about Nato-aligned soldiers, including Aussies in Afghanistan 
. And yeah, Rudd might be leaving the ambassador role soon, but he's got a lot to be proud of too, especially with Aukus and those minerals deals 
. Rudd did good work in the US, so it's a shame he's leaving. Guess that's politics for ya... 
. Time for a fresh face...
I think this is a solid move by PM Albanese 
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Guess it's not just old US military tactics, but also some new-fangled diplomacy. Still, gotta give credit where credit's due, Rudd did manage to get Aukus off the ground and bring some decent deals to the table 
. On a more serious note, can't say I'm surprised Trump made those comments... it's not like he's ever been known for being tactful 
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can't believe he'd even suggest our brave Aussie blokes aren't putting themselves at risk enough 
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. It's reassuring to know that someone with such experience will be representing Australia in this critical role 
. Trump's comments about Nato-aligned soldiers were really not cool tho 
. This is one thing that definitely gets my approval 
Kevin Rudd seems fine in my opinion, he's done a great job and knows what's going on in the US. plus, aussie soldiers are serving bravely in afghanistan 
anyway, i guess moriarty seems like a solid choice... only time will tell if he'll do a better job than Rudd 