Former Nationals cabinet minister to be Australia’s next ambassador to the Vatican​on February 7, 2025 at 5:02 am

Retiring Nationals MP and former cabinet minister Keith Pitt is expected to be appointed as Australia’s next ambassador to the Holy See.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is expected to make the announcement as soon as today. Pitt has been contacted for comment.

Senior National Party sources believe Pitt’s Queensland seat of Hinkler, which he held on a 10 per margin at the 2022 election, may be vulnerable. Pitt will no longer be able to campaign in Hinkler alongside the party’s new candidate when he takes up his Vatican post.

Pitt, a fierce enemy of Nationals leader David Littleproud, had considered challenging for the party leadership this term but announced his resignation late last year.

Former deputy prime minister Tim Fischer was appointed as Australia’s first stand-alone ambassador to the Holy See in 2008 by former Labor prime minister Kevin Rudd. The role had previously been performed by Australia’s Ambassador to Ireland.

More to come.

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