Coalition trade spokesman Kevin Hogan says he is concerned there hasn’t been enough contact between US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Hogan told ABC Radio National that former prime minister Scott Morrison and former ambassador to the US Joe Hockey should be involved in building Australia’s relationship with the new Trump administration.
“[Albanese] needs to be on the front foot. I’m a bit concerned … that it appears that this is the first call the prime minister has had with the president since he was inaugurated,” Hogan said.
Scott Morrison and former Australian US ambassador Joe Hockey at a garden party in Washington in 2019.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen
“Obviously, they will get that congratulatory call when they win, but since he hasn’t had any contact, so that, to me, appears that they’re on the back foot.”
Asked if Morrison and Hockey should be brought in to provide support, Hogan backed the suggestion.
“We wish the government well here; I mean, we wish the conversation between Albanese and Trump goes well for our steel and aluminium workers, but … this is a team Australia issue,” he said.
“Now, if Scott Morrison, who does have a good relationship with the Trump administration or Joe Hockey, who has experience in this before, I would certainly hope that … Prime Minister Albanese and ambassador Rudd are using them.”
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