Former PM says past comments don’t reflect his views as envoy, while foreign minister says she is confident of Australia’s alliance with US

Australia’s ambassador in Washington, Kevin Rudd, deleted comments he previously made about Donald Trump after the Republican’s election win, saying on Thursday they did not reflect the view of the Australian government.

Rudd, a former prime minister, had previously made the comments about Trump in his capacity as the head of a US-based thinktank, a statement on his personal website said.