Former congressman David Brat, nominated by former President Donald Trump, is set to assume his duties as the United States ambassador to Australia next week, ending a vacancy that has lasted nearly 22 months. Brat is scheduled to arrive in Sydney on Friday before proceeding to Canberra, where he will begin familiarizing himself with embassy operations and engage with diplomatic counterparts as ambassador-designate. He is expected to formally present his credentials to Governor-General Sam Mosy later this month.
The post has remained unfilled since the departure of Caroline Kennedy on November 28, 2024, a few weeks following Trump's re-election. In the interim, US chargé d’affaires Robert Koepcke has managed the embassy since August.
Brat, a 62-year-old conservative economist, evangelical Christian, and former Tea Party Republican, emphasized during his Senate confirmation hearing in May his strong appreciation for Australia, noting the country’s central role in US interests and describing it as “our best partner for 100 years.” His appointment occurs shortly after the arrival of China’s ambassador Liu Jinsong, whose early press statement before formal accreditation prompted a reminder from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s protocol branch cautioning ambassadors-designate against premature media engagement.
The new ambassador’s mandate includes advancing the AUKUS security partnership between the US, Australia, and the United Kingdom, particularly in relation to the ongoing development of nuclear-powered submarines. Brat has framed AUKUS as more than a military agreement, characterizing it as a blueprint for multilateral coordination amid a strategic pivot to the Indo-Pacific region. Additionally, he will oversee the implementation of a $13 billion critical minerals agreement forged during Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s recent visit to Washington.
Brat’s political background is marked by his 2014 upset victory over then-House Majority Leader Eric Cantor as a Tea Party insurgent and his subsequent two terms in the US House of Representatives representing Virginia’s 7th district. After leaving Congress, he served as dean of the business school at Liberty University, an institution known for its evangelical roots.
His tenure in politics has included controversial views on foreign policy, including suggestions that NATO provoked Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and appeals to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to accept Moscow’s demands. Brat has also promoted unfounded “deep state” theories alleging surveillance of Republican groups by US intelligence agencies.
The Australian government and opposition figures have expressed cautious support for the new ambassador. Nationals leader Matt Canavan noted Brat’s close ties to the Trump administration as an asset for the role. Senator Penny Wong, Australia’s Foreign Minister, emphasized the importance of ongoing cooperation between the two countries, particularly in defense and Indo-Pacific strategy.
As Brat settles into his post, the US-Australia alliance remains focused on strengthening diplomatic and security ties in a region marked by increasing geopolitical competition.