Rudd, currently the head of the Asia Society think tank, will succeed former Liberal senator Arthur Sinodinos, whose three-year term expires in February.
The post in Washington is considered the most prestigious role in the Australian diplomatic service and is usually awarded to a former senior politician from the ruling party rather than a career public servant.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Tuesday. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen
Albanese and Rudd were allies in parliament and have remained close since Rudd retired from politics.
Albanese supported Rudd during his fierce leadership battles with Julia Gillard, and Rudd promoted Albanese to deputy prime minister when he regained the Labor leadership in 2013.
The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age reported in October that former foreign minister Bob Carr was among the leading Labor figures calling for Rudd to be appointed to the role.
Carr, who served as foreign minister from 2012 to 2013, said Rudd’s expertise on China would make him highly sought after in the US capital by both Republicans and Democrats.
Heather Ridout will be the new Consul General, based in New York. Credit: Louise Kennerley
“Nobody else we could nominate would have the influence, the access, the knowledge of the issues, the gravitas,” Carr said.
“No one else would be considered by Americans to be of such intellectual worth.
“It would give us a status and prestige in Washington that no other former politician or bureaucrat could bring.”
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However, some figures in Labor and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade expressed concern that Rudd’s celebrity status and strong views could make him a risky appointment.
Rudd recently received a PhD in Philosophy from Oxford University after writing a 420-page thesis on Xi Jinping’s worldview, and regularly appears in US media as an expert on China.
Opposition foreign affairs spokesman Simon Birmingham said: “In appointing former Prime Minister Rudd, Prime Minister Albanese has personally chosen a friend and confidant, a former parliamentary and ministerial colleague and someone in who Mr. Albanese clearly has faith and trust in.”
Birmingham said that bringing the AUKUS pact home “will require the unqualified support and attention of our ambassador”.
Speculation about Rudd’s possible appointment has increased since Wong named former Defense Minister Stephen Smith as the country’s next High Commissioner to the UK in September.
Smith had been seen as a likely contender for Washington’s role.
At the time, Wong said he wanted to depoliticize the diplomatic service, but added: “In the circumstances, there is also a clear advantage for Australia to be represented by people who have had distinguished careers beyond public service, such as businessmen and former parliamentarians.”
Stanley Bruce, Australia’s eighth Prime Minister, later served as High Commissioner to the United Kingdom after completing his term in parliament.
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