Washington: Coalition senator Jane Hume has dismissed the opposition’s demands for Kevin Rudd to resign his post in Washington as churlish, as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese strongly backed his ambassador following an awkward encounter with US President Donald Trump.

Albanese labelled Rudd an “outstanding Australian representative” and credited him with the success of the visit to Washington.

In a striking break from Opposition Leader Sussan Ley’s claim that Rudd’s ambassadorship had become “untenable”, Hume said calls for Rudd to be removed from his post were “a little bit churlish”.

Hume, who was removed from the frontbench following the Coalition’s disastrous election defeat, told Sky News Australia that Rudd should be acknowledged for his “good work” as ambassador.

“We’ve got an

See Full Page