<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?> <docID>332565</docID> <postdate>2024-11-07 09:14:00</postdate> <headline>Albanese congratulates Trump on US election victory</headline> <body><p><img class="size-full wp-image-332566" src="https://citynews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/20241107184865456889-original-resized.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="600" /></p> <caption>President-elect Donald Trump... ""President Trump has run a campaign based on change ... he's made it clear he's going to do things differently, so we shouldn't be surprised as things change," says Penny Wong. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)</caption> <p><span class="kicker-line">By <strong>Andrew Brown</strong> in Canberra</span></p> <p><strong>Anthony Albanese has spoken with incoming US President Donald Trump, the day after the Republican claimed victory to secure a second term in the White House.</strong></p> <p>The prime minister had a phone call with Mr Trump on Thursday with Mr Albanese congratulating him on the win, while also talking about AUKUS and trade.</p> <p>Speaking to reporters, Mr Albanese said while the approach taken by the incoming administration would vary compared to previous presidents, the bond between the two countries would be strong.</p> <p>"Our government will work closely with the new Trump administration to realise the benefits of what is a very strong economic and security partnership," he said.</p> <p>"President Trump has run a campaign based on change, he's made it clear that he's going to do things differently, so we shouldn't be surprised as things change.</p> <p>"But equally, we should be really confident in ourselves, our place in the world as well, and our ability to deliver in our interests together as Australians."</p> <p>Mr Trump became the first US president to serve non-consecutive terms in office since Grover Cleveland in 1892, defying the odds to return to the White House after being criminally convicted.</p> <p>Foreign Minister Penny Wong said while there would likely be different approaches between the US and Australia on some policies, the two countries would continue to work closely together.</p> <p>"It's an alliance which has, throughout its history, have been times where leaders and governments have disagreed," she told ABC Radio.</p> <p>The prime minister also backed the performance of Australian ambassador to the US Kevin Rudd, despite Dr Rudd making previous comments criticising Mr Trump.</p> <p>Social media comments from Dr Rudd had been deleted following the election.</p> <p>Opposition foreign spokesman Simon Birmingham questioned at Senate estimates why it took the ambassador until after Mr Trump's election to go back and delete critical tweets given he had been a diplomat for some 18 months.</p> <p>Department officials pointed to Dr Rudd's statement, saying it was out of respect for the office of president, to which Mr Trump had now been re-elected.</p> <p>They defended his tenure amid criticisms he would be ineffective under a Trump presidency due to his previous critical statements, acknowledging the passing of key bipartisan legislation in Congress to enable AUKUS during his tenure.</p> <p>"He has very extensive networks and we have no indication there will be any negative impacts in the United States to this deletion," deputy secretary Elly Lawson said.</p> <p>Senator Birmingham also questioned why the prime minister didn't set up a meeting with Mr Trump while he was in America for the Quad meeting, given Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer had done so</p> <p>Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull, who was in office during Mr Trump's first term as president, said Mr Albanese needed to stand up for Australia's interests.</p> <p>"He's unconventional in the sense that the only real decision maker in his White House was and will be himself," he told ABC Radio.</p> <p>"What Trump respects is strength, so if you suck up to Trump, you'll just have to do more sucking up."</p> <p>Opposition Leader Peter Dutton also extended his congratulations to the Republican leader on behalf of the federal coalition.</p> <p>He described the US as an "overwhelming force for good", declaring the world was at its best when Australia's close ally was strong and at its best.</p> <p>Greens leader Adam Bandt said Mr Trump's re-election was a "bad day for the world", including women, people of colour and members of the LGBTQI community.</p> </body>