Donald Trump signals January 6 pardons, US deportation promises at MAGA rally


In Washington to attend the inauguration, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the Australian government was looking forward to working with the new Trump administration to advance their shared interests.

Australia’s ambassador to the US, Kevin Rudd, also recently met the president-elect at his golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Rudd’s future was thrown into doubt last year when Trump learnt of past comments the former prime minister had made about the Republican, in which he described Trump as a “traitor to the West” and the “most destructive president in history”.

When presented with the comments during an interview with former Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage on Britain’s right-leaning GB News in March, Trump said, “I don’t know much about him. I heard he was a little bit nasty. I hear he’s not the brightest bulb. He won’t be there long if that’s the case.”

The meeting at Trump’s international golf course in Florida was the first time the pair have had direct contact with each other.

Asked by this masthead how it went, and whether Wong was confident of a good working relationship, she replied: “I think the meeting was a short discussion. Obviously, it went well, as can be seen by the fact that this invitation has been extended.

Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong will attend Donald Trump’s inauguration.

Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong will attend Donald Trump’s inauguration.Credit: Bloomberg

“I think [the working relationship] is demonstrated, isn’t it? We’ve seen the AUKUS legislation shepherded through, we’ve seen this visit organised, we’ve seen the invitation to the inauguration for both me and also ambassador Rudd. I think that speaks for itself.”

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