Malcolm Turnbull makes dig at Donald Trump with ‘count the votes’ tweet
Former Australian prime minister Malcolm Turnbull has made a pointed dig at US leader Donald Trump, coming out swinging on social media.
Malcolm Turnbull has come out swinging over US President Donald Trump’s threat to stop the ballots urging America to “count every vote”.
The former Prime Minister and Labor frontbenchers formed a unity ticket last night demanding that the United States guarantee voters’ voices are heard.
Mr Turnbull famously clashed with President Trump during a fiery phone call early in his presidency.
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On Wednesday night, he also shared a story that described Mr Trump’s extraordinary threat to stop counting the votes as a dark and disturbing moment in American history.
“Count every vote,” Mr Turnbull said.
Count every vote.
— Malcolm Turnbull (@TurnbullMalcolm) November 4, 2020
Liberal MP Dave Sharma said President Trump must respect the views of voters.
“Above all else, being a democratic leader means respecting the verdict of the voters, the sanctity of the process, and facilitating a peaceful transfer of power when needed,” he said.
“Patience and humility are both necessary virtues.”
Above all else, being a democratic leader means respecting the verdict of the voters, the sanctity of the process, and facilitating a peaceful transfer of power when needed. Patience and humility are both necessary virtues.
— Dave Sharma (@DaveSharma) November 4, 2020
While Labor leader Anthony Albanese did not directly comment on the US election, he retweeted comments by Labor’s foreign affairs spokeswoman Penny Wong.
“Americans have voted in historic numbers in this election,” she said.
“They deserve to have their voices heard.
“The democratic process must be respected, even when it takes time.
“It’s in Australia’s interest that America remains a credible, stable democracy.”
Americans have voted in historic numbers in this election.
— Senator Penny Wong (@SenatorWong) November 4, 2020
They deserve to have their voices heard.
The democratic process must be respected, even when it takes time.
It’s in Australia’s interest that America remains a credible, stable democracy.
Labor frontbencher Chris Bowen went further, comparing the US to a developing democracy.
“If this were a developing democracy, Australia would probably issue a statement about now demanding that rule of law be respected, that every vote be counted, that we will be closely monitoring,” he said.
If this were a developing democracy, Australia would probably issue a statement about now demanding that rule of law be respected, that every vote be counted, that we will be closely monitoring....
— Chris Bowen (@Bowenchris) November 4, 2020
Bizarrely, Foreign Minister Marise Payne remained mute on the US election instead tweeting about Tonga.
“Warmest congratulations to the Kingdom of #Tonga on the 145th anniversary of its constitution,” she said.
“Ofa atu, Tonga!