Copyright smh
Staying with Albanese on News Breakfast, the PM has dismissed calls by the Coalition and Opposition Leader Sussan Ley for Kevin Rudd to step down from his ambassador position. “It was just some banter that went on in response to a question that was asked of the president. It wasn’t certainly a significant moment... So all’s good. Kevin Rudd is doing a fantastic job, and the work that he put into this outcome is certainly recognised by me and recognised by all of his American friends as well,” Albanese told the ABC this morning. Pressed to comment on the opposition’s calls for Rudd to step down as ambassador, following Ley and others labelling his position as ‘untenable’, the PM hit out at the Coalition for focusing on themselves instead of the national interest. “I think it’s all a bit looking to talk themselves into a bit of a story. And once again, they had an option of backing the Australian national interest or playing politics. They chose, of course, to play politics, to ignore the critical minerals and rare earths deal, to ignore the constructive relationship that I’ve built with President Trump over a period of time… they ignored the commitments to AUKUS that were being done. “They’re too busy focused on each other. I’m focused on the Australian national interest. At some time in the future, maybe they’ll come around to backing Australia as well,” the PM said.
