Prime Minister Scott Morrison has no intention to speak to Donald Trump

Scott Morrison expects a policy continuation with Washington as the US president exits the White House

Scott Morrison wears a face mask as he disembarks a plane after landing at Longreach Airport in Queensland this morning. Picture: AAP

Scott Morrison says he does not intend to speak to Donald Trump before the US President leaves office as he expects a policy “continuation” in relations with Washington under the Biden administration.

The Prime Minister said he had no plans to reach out to Mr Trump, after speaking in the past two days with Vice President Mike Pence and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

Mr Morrison said he did not raise his concerns about Mr Trump’s refusal to concede the election in his conversation on Tuesday morning with Mr Pence.

“I was pleased to be able top talk to Vice President Pence this morning and Secretary Pompeo yesterday. I have worked pretty closely with both of them,” Mr Morrison said in regional Queensland on Tuesday.

“They have been a key part of how we have managed that relationship over the last many years. And the cornerstone of that has been just how important Australia and the United States are to each other.

“How shared we are in our outlook in the world, the threats to that, and how we can work positively together to deal with those in both of our national interest.

“It was an opportunity to thank both Secretary Pompeo and Vice President Pence for the constructive way they have supported that relationship.”

Scott Morrison has spoken to US Vice-President Mike Pence but won’t be reaching out to President Donald Trump. Picture: AFP

Secretary Pompeo staunchly defended Australia when the Morrison government came under fire from China for calling for an independent probe into the origins of COVID-19.

When asked if he expects the Biden administration to also publicly defend Australia in disputes with China, Mr Morrison said: “I expect there would be a continuation of those policy settings that have so favoured the Australian alliance”.

“One of the things that will be handed over from the current administration to the new one this week is the stewardship of that very important relationship between Australia and the United States,” Mr Morrison said.

“The incoming Present-elect Biden will join me in that stewardship. It is incredibly important for our region, it is incredibly important for Australia’s interests and I say it is important for the United States as well.”

Mr Morrison is meeting with the Mayor of Longreach Tony Rayner before visiting drought-affected communities near Quilpie.

He will remain in Queensland until Friday.