Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor has held a phone hook-up with his new US counterpart, John Kerry, in the first of a series of planned calls between senior ministers in the Morrison government and new members of Joe Biden’s cabinet.

Mr Kerry, a former US Senator, presidential candidate and secretary of state, is a passionate advocate for climate change action and his appointment is expected to increase pressure on the Morrison government to increase its ambitions on climate change.