Two former Labor ministers have emerged as frontrunners to replace Kevin Rudd when he makes an early exit from his ambassadorial post in the US.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced on Tuesday that Rudd would wrap up as ambassador to the US at the end of March, a year ahead of the expiry of his four-year term.

Some media outlets, after speaking to Labor insiders, have raised two possible contenders to replace Rudd — Joel Fitzgibbon, a former defence minister, and Stephen Conroy, a former communications minister.

Both are from the Labor Party’s right-wing faction.

The Australian has also mentioned former prime minister Scott Morrison, although he is considered an outlier and The Guardian listed former Western Australian premier Mark McGowan.

Conroy, however, is already generating headlines for having previously said that Trump’s approach to international relations was “moronically stupid”.

Conroy made the comment during an appearance on Sky News in September.

He told host Peter Stefanovic that Trump’s decision to put a 50 per cent tariff on India for buying Russian goods, while himself hosting Russian President Vladimir Putin, was a “moronically stupid approach to international diplomacy”.

“This is absolutely what happens when you have a moron in charge” [of foreign policy] he said.

“So you’ve really got to shake your head and go ‘How counterproductive is Donald Trump’s stupidity.”

Conroy’s past words are unlikely to endear him to Trump, who last year said he didn’t like Rudd after learning about the former prime minister’s disparaging comments about him.

Albanese denied there was any fractured relationship between Rudd and the Trump administration, despite a terse exchange between Trump and the ambassador during a bilateral meeting with the PM when his past criticisms were raised with the President.

“I don’t like you … and I probably never will,” Trump told Rudd.

Rudd later apologised and was told all was forgiven, according to a person in the room.

A new ambassador will be announced at a later date.

Rudd was appointed to the diplomatic role in 2023 but faced a tumultuous period under the Trump administration, with his previous criticisms of Trump sparking concern among some Republicans.

Rudd said he would remain in the US as global president and chief executive of the Asia Society, a world-leading foreign policy think tank.

He will also head the society’s Centre for China Analysis.

“I will be remaining in America working between New York and Washington on the future of US-China relations, which I have always believed to be the core question for the future stability of our region and the world,” Rudd said on X.

Albanese praised Rudd for his tireless work ethic.

“Kevin Rudd developed relationships across the board, across congress, across the senate, across Democrat and Republican members and of course, as well across civil society and across officials,” he said in Canberra on Tuesday.

“As Prime Minister, I have visited the United States on no less than seven occasions, that is because of the productive work that Kevin Rudd has done across the board.”

Foreign Minister Penny Wong praised Rudd’s helping Australia secure a critical minerals deal with the US, and advancing the AUKUS security pact through which Australia will acquire nuclear-powered submarines from the US.

“Kevin has been an excellent ambassador, we thank him for his tireless contribution to Australia’s national interests over the last three years,” she said alongside Albanese.

“He has done what our best ambassadors, developing deep, enduring relationships across the political divide, across successive administrations, and always with a view to advancing Australia’s interests.”

-with AAP