LONDON, May 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has congratulated his Australian counterpart on winning a second term in office, saying the close ties between the two countries show “long-distance friendships can be the strongest”.
Anthony Albanese became the first Australian prime minister to win a second consecutive three-year term in 21 years.
Opposition leader Peter Dutton, who conceded his own seat, conceded defeat to Albanese’s centre-left Labour Party on Saturday.
Sir Keir said: “Congratulations to Anthony Albanese on your election win. The UK and Australia are as close as ever – which goes to show that long-distance friendships can be the strongest.
“I know that we will continue to work together on our shared ambitions, including on trade, investment and energy, working towards a better life for working people in the UK and Australia.
“Our collaboration on defence, especially the Aukus programme will continue to grow, and as fellow steadfast supporters of Ukraine, we will continue to stand together against Putin’s illegal war for as long as it takes.”
Albanese’s party won 70 seats and the conservative opposition coalition 24 seats in the 150-seat House of Representatives, the Australian Electoral Commission projected.
Energy policy and inflation have been major issues in the campaign, with both sides agreeing the country faces a cost of living crisis.
The Labour Party accused the opposition leader of running a Donald Trump-style campaign, branding him “Doge-y Dutton” in reference to the US Department of Government Efficiency.
They argued that a Dutton administration would slash services to pay for its ambitions to rely on nuclear power rather than renewable energy sources to reach net zero by 2050. — NNN-AGENCIES
