Federal election 2022: ‘Morrison’s defeat suits me very well’: French Foreign Minister
France’s outgoing foreign affairs minister welcomes ‘incompetent’ Scott Morrison’s defeat, as AUKUS continues to irk.
One of France’s most senior politicians, outgoing foreign affairs minister Jean-Yves Le Drian has publicly welcomed the defeat of the Scott Morrison government as the cancelled submarine contact continues to irk the French.
Mr Le Drian was handing over to his successor, Catherine Colonna in Paris on Saturday when he referred to the Australian election results and the loss of the Liberal-National Party coalition being in control after nearly a decade in power.
“I can’t stop myself from saying that the defeat of Morrison suits me very well,’’ said Mr Le Drian, adding that Mr Morrison’s move to cancel the French submarine contract was clear evidence of “brutality and cynicism, and I would even be tempted to say of unequivocal incompetence”.
Mr Le Drian’s candid remarks showed that France is still smarting from Mr Morrison’s decision late last year to switch to a new security pact with the United States and the United Kingdom (AUKUS) and the sudden ripping up of a lucrative $90bn 12 submarine deal with France’s Naval group.
He added that with the ingoing Labor government he had hopes the French government “can resume frank and constructive dialogue with Australia in the future”.
It is well established that French president Emmanuel Macron believes the Australian government had stabbed him in the back when the French deal was disbanded in September last year, but the French fury continues without any sign of abatement.
Mr Le Drian’s remarks come after Macron even accused Morrison of lying to him about the status of the submarine deal when having dinner at the Elysee Palace in June, when it emerged that only days earlier Morrison had begun top secret discussions at the G7 with US president Joe Biden and UK prime minister Boris Johnson about a possible AUKUS pact.
But Mr Morrison had rejected such claims saying he had made it clear to Macron that a conventional diesel-powered submarine was not going to meet Australia’s strategic requirements.
’We stand united’: Ardern
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says she spoke to Anthony Albanese before he gave his acceptance speech, congratulating him on his win, while also acknowledging Scott Morrison.
“I spoke to Anthony Albanese … 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,” she said in a statement.
“Anthony and I have had the chance to meet before and I have no doubt we’ll have a strong working relationship that will serve both countries well.
“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.”
Ms Ardern said that she also wanted to acknowledge the “strong working relationship” she had with Mr Morrison.
“I would also like to acknowledge the strong working relationship I had with Scott Morrison. I am confident that the close and unique relationship between New Zealand and Australia will continue under Mr Albanese’s leadership,” she said.
“I hope to meet Prime Minister Albanese in the near future, and look forward to working with him on a range of issues including supporting New Zealanders living in Australia, making trans-Tasman business even easier, deepening our partnership with our close friends in the Pacific, and advancing our interests on the world stage.
“Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand are at our best when we work together; when we acknowledge our mutual interests, our shared values and the uniqueness of our perspectives; when we stand united as allies and whānau, recognising the strength in our diversity.”
‘Only difference is geographical’: Johnson
Britain’s leader says he and Mr Albanese can work for a “safer, greener and more prosperous’’ world, while France’s outgoing foreign minister has welcomed Saturday’s election result.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Saturday congratulated Anthony Albanese on his election as Australia’s new leader, vowing to work together on trade, military ties and making the world “greener”.
“Our countries have a long history and a bright future together,” Mr Johnson said in a message to the Labor Party leader, according to Downing Street, vowing to work with Mr Albanese on “shared challenges”.
Mr Johnson shares a centre-right ideology with Scott Morrison, and their conservative parties have looked to advice from the same electoral strategists.
But the pair differed on climate change, a defining issue of the Australian election.
“As thriving like-minded democracies we work every day to make the world a better, safer, greener and more prosperous place,” Mr Johnson told Mr Albanese.
The UK leader hailed a new post-Brexit free-trade agreement between their countries, and a defence partnership also involving the United States that will see Australia deploy nuclear-powered submarines for the first time.
Mr Johnson added the “only distance between us is geographical”.
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