On Thursday morning, Andrew Hastie expressed his support for Kevin Rudd, commending him for enduring criticism “for the country’s sake.”

“Ultimately, Kevin Rudd took it on the chin for the country, allowing us to progress,” Hastie stated.

During an interview on ABC Radio National, Senator Bridget McKenzie also lauded “the diligent efforts of Ambassador Rudd” in securing a critical minerals agreement. She expressed confidence that the government was “celebrating all the way home” from their trip to the United States.

“Rudd was a choice made by the prime minister, and it is the prime minister who must shoulder the responsibility for Rudd’s successes or failures. It has evidently been a point of contention in the relationship,” McKenzie noted.

Finance spokesperson James Paterson emphasized that the decision on who serves as ambassador to the US does not lie with the Opposition. Source: AAP / Mick Tsikas

Finance spokesperson James Paterson said it was not up to the Opposition to decide who was ambassador to the US. Source: AAP / Mick Tsikas

Despite the change in tone, Ley maintains the former prime minister is damaging to Australia’s relationship with the US.