Tan Bao (right) and Trump (left) the first phone call exposed discord. (photo by Australian News Network)
The post of U.S. Ambassador to Australia has been vacant for 16 months since September 2016, Australian News reported. Former Deputy Prime Minister Fischer (Tim Fischer) said the delay meant Australia had been "downgraded" by the United States.
In September 2016, the then United States Ambassador to Australia, Barry (John Berry), resigned, and the Deputy head of the United States Mission in Australia, Caruso (James Carouso), temporarily took over the post of Ambassador. Admiral Harris (Harry Harris), commander of the U.S. Pacific Command, is expected to be the new ambassador, but the United States has not been formally appointed.
On January 2, Fisher told Feinfas Media that the United States` delay in sending an ambassador to Australia meant that relations between the two countries had become tense. "it`s almost diplomatic humiliation now," he said. We have been demoted and our priority has been lowered. "
Earlier last year, Mr. Tan spoke on the phone with U.S. President Trump (Donald Trump) in a heated discussion over an Australian-US refugee resettlement agreement. Fisher said the refugee settlement is the reason why the U. S. Ambassador to Australia is vacant.
On Jan. 3, Labour deputy leader Biggs (Tanya Plibersek) said it would be "very disappointing" if Australia was not a priority for the Trump administration. "We still don`t have a full-time ambassador to the United States, which is worrisome," she said. This is a very important link between Australia and the United States. "
She also criticized the (Malcolm Turnbull) administration`s order that "our relations with major trading and diplomatic partners have recently entered a rather awkward stage."
The New York Times also recently revealed that Australian High Commissioner Downer (Alexander Downer) was involved in the FBI`s (FBI) investigation into Russia.
In May 2016, Trump campaign adviser Papatopoulos (George Papadopoulos) told Downer at a conference in London that Russia had thousands of emails. Democratic candidate Hillary (Hillary Clinton) could be embarrassed. The New York Times quoted several diplomats familiar with the matter as saying Australia had leaked the information to the Federal Bureau of investigation after the emails were leaked.
Australia`s ambassador to the United States, Mr. (Joe Hockey), also approached the matter, according to Fafus Media. Tan Bao, the prime minister, said he was not worried that the Downer incident would hurt his relationship with Trump. Labour called on the government to explain why Australian diplomats were involved in the FBI investigation.
