SYDNEY - Australia’s government backed its ambassador to Washington, former prime minister Kevin Rudd, after United States presidential contender Donald Trump called the key diplomat “a little bit nasty” in a broadcast interview.

Australia counts the US as a major strategic ally, and the two are forging closer defence ties under the Aukus pact to build nuclear submarines in Australia.

Trump described Mr Rudd as “a little bit nasty” in an interview with former British politician Nigel Farage on British broadcaster GB News.

“If he’s at all hostile, he will not be there long,” Trump added.

Mr Rudd, a former China scholar who was chief executive at US think-tank the Asia Society before becoming ambassador, has previously criticised Trump on China policy, among other issues.

On March 20, Foreign Minister Penny Wong told reporters Mr Rudd would stay as ambassador even if Trump were elected president.

“Mr Rudd is a very effective ambassador,” she said in Canberra, the capital. “He is recognised across this Parliament as doing an excellent job in advancing Australia’s interests in the United States.”

She pointed to Mr Rudd’s work on the Aukus pact, adding that he had engaged with members of the US Congress on both sides of politics.

The Trump comments sparked an attack on Mr Rudd by the opposition, which asked in Parliament if his role would be reassessed.

In reply, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he had never before seen an attempt to politicise Australia’s representative overseas, adding that the leader of the opposition had welcomed Mr Rudd’s appointment at the time it was made. REUTERS