Scott Morrison congratulates Joe Biden on his election win, as former PM Malcolm Turnbull expresses 'relief'

Scott Morrison was among the world leaders to congratulate President-elect Joe Biden, wishing him every success for his term in office.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison Source: AAP

Current and former Australian leaders have sent their congratulations to Democrat Joe Biden following his

Supporters of Mr Biden have taken to the streets in celebration after several US networks declared that he had won the swing state of Pennsylvania and the 270 electoral votes needed to clasp victory. 

Incumbent President Donald Trump has refused to concede defeat to his political rival, accusing him of "rushing falsely to pose as the winner".
But the result has drawn widespread support from across the globe. 

Prime Minister Scott Morrison congratulated the President-elect, calling him a great friend of Australia over many years. 

He also extended his congratulations to Kamala Harris,

"The Australia-US Alliance is deep and enduring, and built on shared values, such as the international rule of law, respect for human rights and equality, freedom of religion and belief, freedom of expression and diversity of opinion," Mr Morrison said in a statement.

"I look forward to working with you closely as we face the world’s many challenges together."
Speaking to reporters later on Sunday, Mr Morrison said the relationship between Australia and the US was bigger than any individual. 

"This relationship is bigger than all of us and the time we have in the roles that we have the privilege to serve in we have custodianship over the roles and I have every confidence because it is based on more than 100 years of successful partnership, that this partnership will only go from strength to strength under the new shared stewardship that President-elect Biden and I will share going into the future," he said. 

Labor leader Anthony Albanese also congratulated Mr Biden on a victory “with record support with a progressive agenda based on decency, honest government, creating opportunity and dealing with the pandemic and the challenge of climate change”.

Former Liberal prime minister Malcolm Turnbull said it will be a "relief" to have a return to "normal transmission" with President-elect Biden.

"An administration that is going to be consistent, that isn't going to be making decisions by wild Tweets in the early hours of the morning, that isn't going to be walking out of global treaties and alliances," he told Insiders. 

"Four years of Trump have been a very, very disruptive period."
Former Labor prime minister Kevin Rudd told Insiders that President Trump needs to "put on his big boy pants ... and act like a grown-up in this period of transition".

But Mr Morrison thanked President Trump, Vice President Mike Pence, and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for their contribution to the Australia-US relationship.

"Australia has enjoyed a strong working relationship with the current administration, one that has seen the strength of our alliance continue to grow and deepen," Mr Morrison said.

"We will continue to work closely with President Trump and his administration in the transition period between now and 20 January."
Celebration in New York over Bidens win
New York City erupts in celebration of Joe Biden's win as 46th US President at the Times Square in New York on 7 November. Source: Anadolu, Getty
Leaders in the United Kingdom, New Zealand, France and Germany were among many others to congratulate Mr Biden on his win.

In neighbouring Canada, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he was looking forward to working with Mr Biden and Ms Harris to continue the "unique relationship" between their countries. 

"Canada and the United States enjoy an extraordinary relationship – one that is unique on the world stage. Our shared geography, common interests, deep personal connections, and strong economic ties make us close friends, partners, and allies," he said in a statement. 

In the US, Mr Biden's former running mate, Barack Obama, issued a long statement urging voters to give him “a chance”.

“The election results at every level show that the country remains deeply and bitterly divided," he said. "It will be up to not just Joe and Kamala but each of us, to do our part: to reach out beyond our comfort zone, to listen to others, to lower the temperatures and find some common ground."
Former President Bill Clinton and former Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton also congratulated Mr Biden and Ms Harris.

Republican Senator Mitt Romney, a frequent critic of Mr Trump, also congratulated the Biden-Harris ticket saying they were “people of good will and admirable character”.
While many world leaders rushed to congratulate Mr Biden, none did so sooner than Fiji’s Prime Minister.
Frank Bainimarama sent out a tweet congratulating Mr Biden on his election on Saturday afternoon, more than 12 hours before the race was called.


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5 min read
Published 8 November 2020 11:08am
Updated 8 November 2020 5:17pm
By Jarni Blakkarly



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