Kevin Rudd could become Australia’s next ambassador to Washington, says Anthony Albanese

Former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd could become Australia’s next ambassador to Washington if Labor wins the federal election.

Anthony Albanese has told some senior party colleagues he is ‘in favour’ of appointing Kevin Rudd for Australia’s highest diplomatic post, The Australian reports

Senior Labor leaders who support he plan say he has solid credentials for the Washington job.

If Mr Rudd gets the gig, he would be reporting directly to Mr Albanese’s foreign minister Penny Wong.

But others in senior Labor ranks have warned that his appointment could pose problems for an Albanese government due to his ‘status’ as a former prime minister and his hunger for maintaining a big public profile.

‘He’d be seen as Australia’s prime minister in Washington,’ one senior critic inside Labor told The Australian. ‘It could be a disaster.’

Since leaving his post as Prime Minister, Mr Rudd has been a strong critic of Scott Morrison’s government and continued to speak out independently on policy.

Earlier this year, he blasted Mr Morrison in a foul-mouthed tweet supporting free rapid antigen tests for everyone.

Mr Rudd said ‘Morrison is RATf****ng Australians.

‘This is American-style health policy, putting private profits ahead of public safety.

‘It’s a recipe for massive undetected spread among those least able to pay. Mass-testing saves money by taking pressure off hospitals.’

Rapid tests are free at testing centres but cost at least $10 per swab at pharmacies and supermarkets.