Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, after commemorating the 40th anniversary of Uluru’s handback, touched down in Malaysia this evening for a key meeting with Pacific leaders at the ASEAN summit.

“In the coming days, my primary focus will be on jobs and security,” Albanese stated.

The prime minister is optimistic about fresh prospects following a critical minerals agreement recently finalized at the White House.

“This initiative could pave the way for our future success, much like iron ore and our other resources have done over the last century,” he remarked.

“It’s absolutely essential,” he added.

After ASEAN comes the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Seoul, South Korea, and the week culminates in a summit of superpowers between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Nationals Leader David Littleproud said: “There’s an opportunity for us to take a leadership role – particularly between the United States and China.

Close calls in the Pacific, the war in Ukraine and escalating tariffs are on the agenda.

“When you see two large trading partners going toe-to-toe there is a contagion impact that flows through to Australia as well,” Littleproud said.

Rudd won’t be there this time around. He’ll remain in Washington – where Trump has forgiven but not forgotten

“I think a long time ago he said something bad. When they say bad about me I don’t forget,” Trump said this weekend.

Labor minister Murray Watt backed Rudd in.

“We measure these these things by results that are actually delivered. Ambassador Rudd is clearly done an excellent job,” he said.

But the Coalition was seemingly back out on the ambassador

Deputy Nationals leader Susan McDonald called it “the biggest diplomatic slap down I can think of”.

“He is trying to flag how impossible the situation is,” she said.

When asked if he needed to “sub Kevin Rudd out”, Albanese said no.