Labour of love for Ardern, Albanese
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has congratulated Australia’s new prime minister-elect Anthony Albanese, saying the two countries will work ‘‘even more closely together’’ and pointing to easing trans-Tasman business, supporting New Zealanders living in Australia and ‘‘deepening’’ Pacific partnerships.
Ardern said she hoped to see Albanese in person in the ‘‘near future’’ but had already spoken to him yesterday morning.
He will be Australia’s 31st prime minister, declaring victory shortly after midnight on Saturday after his Labor party claimed its first electoral win since 2007.
‘‘Australia is our most important partner, our only official ally and single economic market relationship, and I believe our countries will work even more closely together in these tumultuous times,’’ Ardern said.
‘‘I spoke to Anthony Albanese early this morning as he was preparing to address his supporters. It was a warm conversation and I’m really looking forward to formally meeting with him soon.’’
The leaders would work together on a range of issues including supporting New Zealanders living in Australia, making trans-Tasman business easier, and deepening the partnership with ‘‘our close friends in the Pacific, and advancing our interests on the world stage’’, she said.
Albanese has promised big changes after nearly a decade of conservative rule, commenting in his first speech that he wanted to bring Australians together and pledging to crack down on political corruption, and to step up climate change action.
Labor also promised Australians cheaper child care, as the cost of living eats into wages across the ditch, and putting more nurses in the aged care sector, as well as boosting community care to take pressure off emergency departments. Ardern will lead a trade delegation in Australia later this year.