Who will replace Kevin Rudd? Prominent Labor personalities emerge as possible ambassador to the US contenders

Former Labor frontbenchers Joel Fitzgibbon, Stephen Conroy and Greg Combet are being discussed in government circles as possible options to replace Kevin Rudd as Australia’s ambassador to the US.

Feverish speculation is underway as to who could fill the country’s most prized diplomatic position after the former prime minister confirmed he would step down in March, a year earlier than expected.

Government insiders say Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is closely discussing the choice of next US ambassador with Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Defence Minister Richard Marles.

Stephen Conroy, who remains a powerful factional figure in the right wing of the Labor Party is now a successful and highly paid lobbyist who once described US President Donald Trump as “moronically stupid”.

Sources claim the former Senator and Communications Minister was considered for the prized US job when Labor came to office in 2022 but was reluctant to take it on for family reasons.

Fellow Labor right faction figure Joel Fitzgibbon served as defence minister in Kevin Rudd’s government but was forced to resign in 2009 after admitting he breached the ministerial code of conduct.

Former Climate Change Minister Greg Combet is considered a “safe” option but an outside chance of taking the Washington job given he is now the chairman of the Future Fund.

“This is the most prized diplomatic position an Australian leader can appoint someone to, so a key consideration for Anthony Albanese will be who he might owe favours to,” says one Labor figure close to the Prime Minister.

Members of Labor’s caucus are also privately speculating over whether any of their current frontbench parliamentary colleagues could quit and then take on the ambassadorship, in similar fashion to former Liberal Senator Arthur Sinodinos.

On Tuesday, Trade Minister Don Farrell was asked whether he would put his hand up to replace Kevin Rudd but responded that he was “very happy” in his current position and that it’s “a really important job right now”.

Defence Secretary Greg Moriarty, a former ambassador to Iran and Chief of Staff to Malcolm Turnbull when he was prime minister is currently visiting Washington, and in the past has been considered a possible option.

To date no woman has ever served as Australia’s ambassador to Washington, prompting some in government ranks to speculate the Prime Minister may chose a female to take the job which has been filled by former politicians since 2010.

A decade ago, the government of then prime minister Malcolm Turnbull vetoed an attempt by Kevin Rudd, a Mandarin speaker, to nominate as a candidate for the United Nations secretary general, a position which will soon become vacant again.

In a letter distributed late last year, the United Nations formally began the process of “soliciting candidates and to set in motion the process of selecting and appointing the next Secretary-General”.

“We invite candidates to be presented who have proven leadership and managerial abilities, extensive experience in international relations and strong diplomatic, communication and multilingual skills,” the November 25 document states.

“Member States are encouraged to strongly consider nominating women as candidates. We note the importance of regional diversity in the selection of Secretaries-General,” the President of the UN General Assembly and Security Council President wrote.

The Nightly understands Mr Rudd has not expressed any interest in again being a potential candidate for the UN Security General despite the position being based in New York where he will now spend considerable time.