Defence Department secretary Greg Moriarty has been appointed as Australia's next ambassador to the United States, replacing Kevin Rudd. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the recommendation on ABC's Insiders program, noting Moriarty's nearly decade-long tenure as Defence secretary and previous roles as chief of staff to former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull, ambassador to Indonesia and Iran, and senior counter-terrorism positions.
Albanese praised Moriarty's dignified handling of his duties and confirmed that the Trump administration had been consulted on the appointment, as per standard procedure. Moriarty is the first non-political appointee to the ambassadorship since Dennis Richardson left the post in 2010; recent holders include former Labor leader Kim Beazley, former Liberal treasurer Joe Hockey, former Liberal minister Arthur Sinodinos, and former Labor prime minister Kevin Rudd.
Outgoing ambassador Kevin Rudd expressed delight at Moriarty's appointment, highlighting his deep familiarity with the AUKUS security pact and his ability to drive its implementation. Liberal Senator Sussan Ley also endorsed Moriarty, calling him a 'safe pair of hands' during a period of global uncertainty.
The appointment comes amid rising tensions between the US and its allies, including President Donald Trump's demands for Greenland, tariff campaigns, and controversial remarks about allied troops in Afghanistan. Trump initially downplayed the role of NATO forces, saying they 'stayed a little off the front lines,' but later acknowledged their bravery after UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer demanded an apology. Albanese labelled Trump's original comments 'not acceptable,' noting that 47 Australian families who lost soldiers in Afghanistan would be hurting.
Liberal MP and Afghanistan veteran Andrew Hastie called Trump's remarks 'a massive slur,' accusing the president of lacking mutual respect and restraint. Separately, Albanese confirmed that Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will visit Australia in March, and agreed with Carney's assertion that middle powers like Australia and Canada must act together or risk being sidelined.
