Former prime minister Kevin Rudd has received a plum posting for powerful political figures. 

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says Mr Rudd has “unmatched experience” to justify his posting as Australia’s ambassador to the United States.

The position is granted mostly to former politicians and public servants with strong connections or enough favours to call in. 

It has recently been held by Arthur Sinodinos - a powerful minister in the Howard, Abbott and Turnbull governments - as well as former federal treasurer Joe Hockey, ex-deputy PM Kim Beazley, former Liberal leader Andrew Peacock and others. 

Mr Rudd says the sweet gig is in line with work he has been doing as chair of the Asia Society Policy Institute’s Centre for China Analysis.

“Over the past decade, I have had the pleasure of building relationships with Republicans and Democrats across politics, and have developed close personal ties with American business, civil society and the media,” Mr Rudd said in a statement.

“As the Australian government’s representative in Washington, I look forward to continuing the work of Ambassador Sinodinos in strengthening the bonds between our two countries.”

In other diplomatic postings, former foreign affairs minister Stephen Smith has been appointed as high commissioner to the UK. Additionally, Heather Ridout has been made Australia’s new consul-general in the United States after previously serving as CEO of the Australian Industry Group and a member of ASIC’s external advisory panel.

Foreign affairs minister Penny Wongalso  announced other major diplomatic postings, including :

  • Stephanie Copus-Campbell as ambassador for gender equality

  • Bronte Moules as ambassador for human rights

  • Sophie Davies as ambassador to Brazil

  • Phoebe Smith as high commissioner to the Cook Islands

  • Richard Rodgers as ambassador to Croatia, as well as accredited for Kosovo

  • Ralph King as ambassador to Israel

  • Sonya Koppe as high commissioner to Trinidad and Tobago

  • Minoli Perera as ambassador to Zimbabwe

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has knocked back claims that the postings were political in nature, saying they all went to “people of significance”.

“I want the best people representing Australia and today’s announcements, whether it be your career public servants, or Kevin Rudd or Heather Ridout certainly fit that bill,” he said.