SYDNEY: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese dismissed on Sunday concerns regarding whether Australia's ambassador in Washington was becoming a liability, following local media reports of fresh remarks made about Kevin Rudd by US President Donald Trump.

Labor leader Albanese is an advocate for Rudd, a former Labor prime minister, who in 2020 referred to Trump as 'the most destructive president in history,' later deleting the comment from social media upon his appointment as ambassador.

Albanese, following the signing of a critical minerals agreement with the US at a summit in Washington earlier this week, praised Rudd's performance, calling him an envoy doing a "fantastic job".

He described comments by Trump at the summit expressing dislike for the ambassador as "light-hearted".

Reports surfaced on Sunday that Trump, during remarks made on Friday night in Washington time, stated: "I think he said a long time ago something bad.

You know, when they say bad about me, I don’t forget".

In response to queries from Australia's Seven Network television regarding whether Rudd’s role was becoming problematic, Albanese responded affirmatively: "No, it’s not".

He reiterated, "Kevin Rudd’s doing a great job as ambassador," emphasizing Rudd’s efforts in building support for the AUKUS nuclear submarine deal in Congress and his preparations for the first summit with Trump, which Australia has declared successful.

Australia's main conservative opposition party previously called for Rudd to be dismissed following Trump's initial comments about the ambassador during a media conference in Washington on Monday.

Rudd initially rose to power as prime minister in 2007, ushering center-left Labor back into office after a decade-long stint in opposition.

Though he was subsequently replaced by his party in 2010, Rudd made a brief political comeback in 2013, serving another term as prime minister.