A Labor government would order a review into the futures of former attorney-general George Brandis in London, former treasurer Joe Hockey in Washington, former Western Australia premier Richard Court in Tokyo, former Howard government minister Peter McGauran as consul-general in Houston, and former senator David Bushby, who was appointed consul-general to Chicago just one hour after his resignation from Parliament in January.
Labor governments have also appointed former MPs to overseas postings including Kim Beazley as Australia’s ambassador to the United States and former South Australian premier Mike Rann as high commissioner to London.
In a situation similar to 2019, Julia Gillard appointed former Victorian premier Steve Bracks as consul-general in New York in May 2013 but he was sacked by the newly elected Coalition government in September. The position went to ex-South Australian Liberal senator Nick Minchin.
Source: SMH