The daughter of former American president John F Kennedy is set to be nominated as the next US ambassador to Australia.
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Caroline Kennedy is set to be announced as Joe Biden's pick to take up the diplomatic position in Canberra, according to recent US media reports.
Ms Kennedy, 63, is JFK's oldest child and is the only surviving member of the former president's immediate family.
She has previously served as the US ambassador to Japan between 2013 and 2017.
The role of US ambassador to Australia has been left vacant since former ambassador Arthur Culvahouse, appointed by former president Donald Trump, resigned from the position in January.
The White House has yet to issue a public statement on the potential appointment, but a spokesman told US media outlet CNN an announcement would be made once a vetting process was finalised and host countries had been informed.
A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokeswoman said the department had no comment on speculation surrounding who the next ambassador would be.
The Prime Minister's Office and the US Embassy have been contacted for comment.
Ms Kennedy was a vocal supporter and donor to President Biden during the 2020 presidential campaign.
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In an editorial in the Boston Globe endorsing Biden for President, Ms Kennedy gave high praise for his previous role as Vice-President under Barack Obama.
"[Biden] radiated American optimism and generosity of spirit. He made clear that America would stand by our allies, and that we were committed to keeping the region peaceful and prosperous," the editorial said.
"He delivered tough messages as well, but he did it in private, with skill and respect."
Rumours had been circulating for months Ms Kennedy would be appointed to the diplomatic position, after reports were made about the posting.
At the time, the US embassy said they could not comment on the matter but were confident the new ambassador would be "superb".
The ambassador role would only become official once confirmed by the US senate.
While the posting has yet to be finalised, research fellow at RMIT University's Social and Global Studies Centre Dr Emma Shortis said the pick of Ms Kennedy to the role would strengthen ties between the two countries.
"In a sense, the appointment would not be surprising because it's setting out Biden's foreign policy, which we saw during his first foray on the international stage at the G7 and announcing his agenda around China," she said.
"Putting Caroline Kennedy in the role says a lot about Biden's priority in the Asia-Pacific region and his approach.
"This is a continuity of the [US government's] approach to China."
Dr Shortis said one of the reasons behind the new ambassador selection could be the close connection between the Bidens and Kennedys.
"There is a deep unity between them for a number of reasons," she said.
"Biden has talked a lot of their shared Catholic-Irish heritage and has kind of always seen himself as an heir to the Kennedys and the lost promise and grief of the Kennedy era."
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