Caroline Kennedy has been confirmed as the US ambassador to Australia.

Caroline Kennedy has been confirmed as the US ambassador to Australia.Credit:Bloomberg

She heads to Canberra as its relationship with Washington strengthens in response to China’s growing power and increasingly assertive behaviour in Asia and beyond. Like Japan,Australia is a member of the so-called Quad grouping,along with the United States and India,which has been expanding cooperation in the face of China’s rise.

Kennedy succeeds Arthur Culvahouse,who left the position in early 2021,when former Republican President Donald Trump left office.

Kennedy was one of a handful of nominees approved by voice vote on Thursday,along with Marc Nathanson to be ambassador to Norway,John Nkengasong to be ambassador at large to combat HIV-AIDS globally,MaryKay Loss Carlson as ambassador to the Philippines and Philip Goldberg as ambassador to South Korea.

Reuters

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