Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has dismissed suggestions of "jobs for mates" while announcing former South Australian premier Jay Weatherill as Australia's next High Commissioner to the United Kingdom.
Diplomatic appointment sparks controversy
The announcement made on Monday in Canberra continues a pattern of Labor government appointments that has drawn criticism from political opponents. Mr Weatherill will replace outgoing high commissioner Stephen Smith, another former Labor politician who has held the position.
As Australia's 45th South Australian premier from 2011 to 2018, Mr Weatherill brings significant political experience to the role. Prime Minister Albanese emphasised the former premier's qualifications during the announcement.
AUKUS partnership takes centre stage
Mr Albanese highlighted Mr Weatherill's potential contribution to the AUKUS security pact, particularly regarding the SSN AUKUS submarine program being developed in partnership with the United Kingdom.
"As a proud South Australian, as our future high commissioner, Jay is well placed to take forward AUKUS in our nation's interests," the Prime Minister told reporters.
Mr Weatherill championed sovereign defence capability and renewable energy targets during his tenure as premier, playing an instrumental role in establishing South Australia's leadership in defence industry, including submarine construction.
Growing pattern of Labor appointments
The Weatherill appointment follows other recent diplomatic postings given to former Labor figures. Former Western Australian Labor politician Peter Tinley was appointed to the Australian War Memorial Council over the weekend, while former Labor frontbencher Stephen Jones took up the plum role of Australia's ambassador to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development in Paris during September.
When questioned about whether these appointments represented "jobs for mates" and whether this explained why his cabinet hadn't yet dealt with the Briggs review into public sector board appointments, Mr Albanese gave a simple one-word response: "No."
The government has been sitting on the Briggs review for more than two years, despite Finance and Public Service Minister Katy Gallagher recently promising to make it public by year's end.
Pressure mounted on the government last week when crossbench and Coalition senators supported a motion by ACT independent senator David Pocock to extend question time until the report's release. Senator Gallagher has declined to provide senators with the report until cabinet deliberations conclude.
Mr Albanese defended Mr Weatherill as "an entirely appropriate appointment" given his 16 years of service in the South Australian Parliament, where he held portfolios including treasurer, minister for state development, education and environment minister.
The Prime Minister also thanked outgoing high commissioner Stephen Smith for his "remarkable job" representing Australian interests in the UK, particularly his work with the Coalition of the Willing - the group of 33 nations supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression convened by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron.
