Donald Trumps extraordinary return to the White House could be followed by an even more unlikely political comeback - Scott Morrisons.
In January, Mr Morrison resigned from politics and announced he would be moving to Washington to work at political advisory group American Global Strategies (AGS), where he is vice-chairman.
AGS was co-founded and chaired by Robert OBrien, who was National Security Advisor to then-president Mr Trump from 2019 to 2021.
This connection will become significant when Mr Trump is sworn in as President in January and the Albanese government seeks to leverage any influence it can with the new leader, including Mr Morrisons relationships.
These alliances are vital, given Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was recorded saying Mr Trump scares the s*** out of me while he was shadow minister for transport and infrastructure in 2017.
Australias US Ambassador Kevin Rudd has reportedly been encouraging Mr Morrison to join a diplomatic charm offensive to woo the new Trump administration.
The work has been happening in plain sight for some time. In October, former prime minister Mr Morrison met former and now future president Mr Trump in New York - then a day later Mr Rudd launched Mr Morrisons book Plans For Your Good at the Australian embassy in Washington.
Many of Mr Trumps former colleagues, including former secretary of state Mike Pompeo and close advisor Kellyanne Conway attended the book launch.
Donald Trumps extraordinary comeback to win the US presidential election could be about to be mirrored by an even more unlikely political comeback - Scott Morrisons. They are pictured
Mr Morrison congratulated Mr Trump on his election win in a post to X (pictured)
Vice-president Mike Pence was also in attendance, but he wont be of much use to Australia since falling out with Mr Trump for refusing instructions to block Joe Biden as the incoming president in January 2021.
The book launch was a very public demonstration by Rudd that he and Morrison have put aside their differences and that the two can work together in Australias interests, an Australian government insider told the Saturday Paper.
Mr Rudds own immediate future will be less certain after Mr Trump is sworn in as the 47th US president on January 20.
Mr Trump has previously suggested Mr Rudd may not get to keep his ambassador role when questioned by right wing UK politician Nigel Farage on GB News.
Things have changed in Australia. Weve got a Labor government. The previous ambassador, Joe Hockey, I think was quite a good friend of yours. Now theyve appointed Kevin Rudd, Mr Farage said.
He has said the most horrible things; you were a destructive president, a traitor to the West, and hes now Australias ambassador in Washington.
Mr Trump snapped back: I dont know, he wont be there long if thats the case.
I dont know much about him. I heard he was a little bit nasty. I hear hes not the brightest bulb. If he is at all hostile, he will not be there for long.
Anthony Albanese (right) was recorded saying Mr Trump scares the s*** out of me while he was shadow minister for transport and infrastructure in 2017
Jenny and Scott Morrison are pictured with Donald and Melania Trump in September 2019
Mr Morrison is on far better terms with the incoming US president, saying on Wednesday that his win would lead to a rejuvenation of the US economy and that Mr Trump had given a stellar performance in the election campaign.
The US is an entrepreneurial animal... and I think well see great confidence come into that economy, he said.
Mr Morrisons prime ministership coincided with Mr Trumps first presidency from 2018 to 2021 - with Mr Trump once even lavishing Mr Morrison with praise, describing him as a man of titanium.
Before he became prime minister, Anthony Albanese criticised Mr Morrison for being too close to Mr Trump.
Scott Morrison went too far – partly out of his affinity with Donald Trump, partly because of the political constituency they share, Mr Albanese said in early 2021.
There is no doubt Mr Morrison put this affinity and his political interests first when he effectively went on a campaign rally stage with Donald Trump in Ohio (during the 2020 US presidential election campaign).
For his part, Mr Morrison has had nothing but praise for Mr Rudds role as ambassador to the United States.
One way or another, Mr Albanese and his Labor government will be hoping that Mr Morrison can help heal its fractured relationship with Mr Trump.