Following his visit to Uluru to commemorate 40 years since its handover, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has arrived in Malaysia. His agenda includes engaging with Pacific leaders at the ASEAN summit.

“My focus in the coming days will be on jobs and security,” Albanese emphasized, highlighting the priorities of his diplomatic mission.

Meanwhile, Nationals leader David Littleproud expressed concern over the ongoing tensions between Australia’s major trading partners, warning, “When you see two large trading partners going toe-to-toe, there is a contagion impact that flows through to Australia as well.”

Absent from this international gathering is former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, who remains stationed in Washington. Former U.S. President Donald Trump, while having pardoned past grievances, remarked over the weekend, “I think a long time ago he said something bad. When they say bad about me, I don’t forget.”

Labor Minister Murray Watt has shown support for Rudd amidst these developments, standing firmly in his corner.

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.