The Australian government has confirmed that Kevin Rudd met with Donald Trump just days before the former president was inaugurated. This meeting took place on January 11, 2021, at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida. Until now, details surrounding this interaction remained largely undisclosed.
During a press conference, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasized that the meeting had been mentioned previously in his interviews. He stated that he had referred to it during television and radio appearances in January, suggesting that the public should have been aware of the discussion. According to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), a diplomatic cable was generated following the meeting, indicating Rudd’s engagement with various senior officials in the Trump administration.
Albanese has faced criticism from the opposition regarding the lack of transparency about the meeting. The Coalition has called for more information, particularly as tensions in the US-Australia relationship rise over ongoing defence and trade issues. A proposed meeting between Albanese and Trump at the G7 summit in June was cancelled when Trump departed Canada early to address the Iran-Israel conflict.
In response to the opposition’s demands for clarity, Albanese accused them of undermining Australia’s national interests. He remarked, “They had a meet – they had a brief discussion. It’s out there,” during a media briefing in Sydney. He pointed out that he had discussed the meeting publicly and reiterated, “It’s pretty hard for it to be a secret when you talk about it.”
In an interview with ABC radio on January 17, Albanese confirmed that direct contact between Rudd and Trump had occurred, which he described as a positive development. When pressed for additional details, including whether the meeting had taken place at Trump’s nearby Mar-a-Lago resort, Albanese maintained that his government would engage diplomatically without further elaboration.
On January 21, during a live broadcast of Trump’s inauguration, Albanese briefly noted that Rudd had already met with the incoming president, stating, “I’m not going to run a running commentary on Donald Trump’s domestic agenda.” He expressed optimism about Australia’s future collaboration with the Trump administration.
The lack of details about this meeting has drawn scrutiny, particularly from Coalition frontbencher James Paterson, who highlighted the limited information disclosed by DFAT during a Senate estimates hearing. Paterson criticized the department for providing only minimal details about the meeting, leaving unanswered questions regarding its duration and nature. “This is our most important relationship, at our most critical time in history, and we need more transparency,” he stated.
Former ambassador to the US, Arthur Sinodinos, commented on the nature of such meetings, suggesting that informal interactions, like those at golf clubs, are typical for the former president. He remarked, “I assume what happened is that Kevin went down there on the chance that he would be able to meet the President, say hello. And that’s perfectly natural.”
DFAT has been approached for further comments regarding the meeting and its implications for Australia’s diplomatic relations with the United States. As the situation develops, the significance of Rudd’s engagement with Trump during this pivotal moment remains a focal point for both government officials and the public.
