Greg Moriarty named Australia’s next ambassador to United States, replacing Kevin Rudd
Anthony Albanese has announced Department of Defence secretary Greg Moriarty will replace Kevin Rudd as Australia’s Ambassador to the US.
In a joint statement with Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong, the Prime Minister said Mr Moriarty has “unsurpassed credentials across Australia’s international policy from his senior roles in the Australian Public Service, including Secretary of the Department of Defence since 2017”.
Mr Albanese told the Insiders program that the Trump administration had been consulted on the appointment.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“I know Mr Moriarty very well, and I’ve been impressed by the dignified way in which he handles himself, by his connections in the United States as well,” Mr Albanese said.
“I engaged very broadly in discussions about who the right person was.
“Including with the Trump administration, have been consulted on this appointment.”
Mr Rudd is due to step down from the position in March.
Mr Moriarty led a delegation to Washington for high level talks last week and declared the US alliance “more important than ever”.
After meeting with senior US officials, including Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, to discuss various joint military initiatives such as the AUKUS submarine partnership, he praised Donald Trump’s national security strategy as “reassuring” for Australia.
In his statement on the ambassador appointment, Mr Albanese outlined Mr Moriarty’s long service.
“Mr Moriarty has served overseas in a number of posts, including in the headquarters of the United States Central Command in the Persian Gulf during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm,” the statement read.
“He was Ambassador to Indonesia from 2010-2014 and Ambassador to Iran from 2005-2008. Earlier he served in Papua New Guinea, and as Senior Negotiator of the Peace Monitoring Group on Bougainville.
“In 2015, Mr Moriarty was appointed as Australia’s inaugural Counter Terrorism Coordinator in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
“Mr Moriarty has held senior positions in the Office of the Prime Minister, as International and National Security Adviser, and later as Chief of Staff, to then Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.
