ByREUTERS, JAMES GENN
Updated:

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Sunday named the country's defense department chief as the next ambassador to the US, after Kevin Rudd said he would step down following criticism from US President Donald Trump.

Albanese said senior civil servant Greg Moriarty, currently secretary of the Defense Department, would replace Rudd as ambassador to Washington.

"Mr Moriarty is I think an outstanding Australian public servant," Albanese said in remarks on Australian Broadcasting Corporation television.

Rudd, a former prime minister who made critical comments about Trump before becoming ambassador, said earlier this month that he would leave the role a year earlier than expected, finishing his posting in March.

Albanese said the Trump administration had been informed of Moriarty's selection and was happy with it.

Greg Moriarty (front-left) leads a delegation of Australian defense officials, hosting US defense officials, including then-defense secretary Mark Esper, at Victoria Barracks, Sydney, Australia, August 4, 2019; illustrative.
Greg Moriarty (front-left) leads a delegation of Australian defense officials, hosting US defense officials, including then-defense secretary Mark Esper, at Victoria Barracks, Sydney, Australia, August 4, 2019; illustrative. (credit: DAVID GRAY/AFP via Getty Images)

Moriarty, a defense official who has served as ambassador to Indonesia, Iran

Moriarty has been in the role of Defense Department Secretary since September 2017. Before his posting, he was the chief of staff to the prime minister for a few months, after holding the role of Commonwealth counterterrorism coordinator from May 2015 until April 2017.

Washington will not be Moriarty's first ambassadorial posting. He served as ambassador to Indonesia from August 2010 until December 2014, and ambassador to Iran from 2005 until 2008.

Who is Kevin Rudd, the outgoing ambassador to Washington?

Rudd is slated to become the President and CEO of the Asia Society after he leaves his posting in Washington, POLITICO cited Albanese as saying earlier this month.

During a meeting between Albanese and Trump in the White House in October, Trump was asked a question about Rudd's past comments disapproving of the president. "I don't like you either, and I probably never will," the president commented.

Trump also called Rudd "a little bit nasty," and said that he is "not the brightest bulb."

Rudd posted on social media that Trump is the "most destructive president in history," following his re-election in November 2024. Rudd was already serving as Australian Ambassador to the US at the time.

The posts have since been deleted, POLITICO reported.

Rudd had previously served as Australian prime minister from December 2007 until June 2010, and for a short interim period in the role from June until September 2013.

He also served as foreign minister from September 2010 until February 2012.