Former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has criticised the United States' decision to withdraw its nominated ambassador to Australia.
The full-time Canberra post has been vacant since September 2016.
Admiral Harry Harris was to be nominated for the position.
But ahead of President Donald Trump's planned meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong, the U-S has decided to nominate the admiral as envoy to South Korea instead.
Mr Rudd has told the A-B-C the change suggests U-S President Donald Trump sees Australia as a second-class ally.
The Prime Minister says he's disappointed Harry Harris will not be the next United States ambassador to Australia.
But Malcolm Turnbull says he understands why the experienced admiral is being redirected to South Korea.
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