As she prepares to depart, the US Ambassador reassures Australia about the implications of a second Trump presidency and criticises vaccine scepticism

In her final public address as the US Ambassador to Australia, Caroline Kennedy sought to reassure Australians about the potential challenges posed by a second Donald Trump presidency, while emphasizing the strength of the US-Australia alliance and Australia’s sovereignty. Delivering her remarks at the National Press Club in Canberra, Kennedy also took the opportunity to voice her concerns over the nomination of her cousin, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., as Trump’s pick for head of the US health agency.

Kennedy, who will leave Canberra in the coming weeks, was questioned about several aspects of Trump’s policy platform, particularly on trade, climate, and security, as well as his controversial cabinet picks. Amid growing concern in Canberra regarding the impact of Trump’s potential return to the White House, Kennedy urged Australians to remain calm, insisting that much of the speculation was premature and that the Senate could still block many of Trump’s appointments.

In her remarks on RFK Jr.’s nomination, Kennedy was direct, calling his views on vaccines “dangerous” and distancing herself from her cousin’s stance on public health. She stressed that the Kennedy family, despite their strong advocacy for health care reform, remains unified in their support for the scientific and medical communities, notably citing her late uncle, Ted Kennedy, and his lifelong work in the US Senate on healthcare issues.

“My uncle Teddy spent 50 years fighting for affordable healthcare in the Senate,” Kennedy said. “It’s something that our whole family is proud of, and I think most Americans share those values. Bobby Kennedy has got a different set of views.” She described RFK Jr.’s anti-vaccine stance as a “dangerous” position that does not reflect the Kennedy family’s longstanding commitment to supporting the public health sector.

Kennedy also addressed the Albanese government’s nuclear-powered submarine program, calling it “an existential investment in Australia’s sovereignty,” reinforcing the importance of the Australia-US defence alliance. She reiterated the US’s commitment to supporting Australia’s security, especially in the face of rising geopolitical tensions in the Indo-Pacific.

As she prepared to leave Australia, Kennedy urged for patience regarding Trump’s cabinet, suggesting that it was too early to pass judgment on the potential confirmation of his controversial nominees, including former Democrat congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, who has faced criticism for promoting pro-Kremlin narratives. “Let’s just calm down and wait and see what happens,” Kennedy advised, emphasizing that the Senate would play a crucial role in confirming many of these appointments.

In her farewell address, Kennedy reflected on the enduring strength of the US-Australia relationship, despite the challenges posed by shifting political dynamics. She expressed confidence that the ties between the two countries would remain robust, regardless of who occupies the White House.