US Election 2020: ‘We need to be prepared to speak up for democracy’, says Anthony Albanese

Anthony Albanese has condemned the Donald Trump-led push to ‘stop the count’, and hit out at Joe Hockey’s voter fraud comments.

Anthony Albanese has condemned the Donald Trump-led push to “stop the count” in key US states, and hit out at former Australian ambassador to the United States Joe Hockey for suggesting the presidential election had been marred by voter fraud.

In contrast to Scott Morrison, who refused to criticise President Trump’s call for vote counting to stop, the Labor Leader said Australians needed to be prepared to stand up for democracy.

“Australians will be somewhat concerned, I think, at some of the footage, for example, outside Detroit, Michigan, outside a county, of people shouting in a chant to ‘stop the count’. “That’s really shouting, ‘Stop democracy’.

Scott Morrison refused to criticise President Trump’s call for vote counting to stop. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Dylan Coker

“And we need, all of us who hold democratic values around the world, need to be prepared to speak up for democracy.”

He said Mr Hockey’s comments questioning the legitimacy of the Washington DC vote, where Mr Biden secured 93 per cent of the vote, was unhelpful.

“Joe needed perhaps to get out more when he was in Washington DC, because the Democrats, of course, got over 90 per cent of the vote in 2016, in 2012, and in 2008.

“And it’s pretty consistent with those outcomes.”

Mr Morrison earlier declined to comment on the President’s claims to have already won the election, saying Australia would await the final result.

“I’m not a participant in the US political process. I’m a partner,” the Prime Minister said.

“And we‘ll be patient and we’ll await the outcome of their process. It’s not for me to run a commentary on those things and I won’t.

“I have great confidence in the democracy of the United States and I have great confidence in their institutions and the thing about great institutions and democracies is they deal with whatever challenges come, just like our own does.”

The Prime Minister said he had not reached out to either Mr Trump or Democratic challenger Joe Biden – amid counting suggesting Mr Biden is poised to win the White House – saying it was not yet appropriate to do so.

Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne also urged Australians to await the final result.

“It’s important that we respect that process, that every vote is counted, and I’m sure that they will be,” she told Seven’s Sunrise program.

Earlier, Labor’s foreign affairs spokeswoman Penny Wong said Americans, who voted in record numbers, “deserve to have their voices heard”.

“The democratic process must be respected, even when it takes time,” she tweeted.

“It’s in Australia’s interest that America remains a credible, stable democracy.”

Americans have voted in historic numbers in this election.

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.

— Senator Penny Wong (@SenatorWong) November 4, 2020

Liberal MP Dave Sharma also urged respect for the will 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 tweeted.

“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

Speaking on Sydney radio station 2GB, Mr Hockey said he was sure there had been electoral fraud, declaring voting had been “a dog’s breakfast”.

“In Washington DC, 93 per cent of the city voted for Joe Biden … I find it hard to believe,” he told 2GB.

“(Trump) hates losing, he doesn’t accept when he’s losing, and he usually reverts to litigation.

“There’s plenty of good reason to have litigation, I mean it is a complete dog’s breakfast right across the country.”

Labor frontbencher Brendan O’Connor labelled Mr Hockey’s comments “an absolute disgrace” given his position as a former ambassador.

Mr Morrison’s call for patience echoed similar comments from across the globe.

UK Foreign Secretary Raab said it was “important the process is given sufficient time to reach a conclusion”.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said his government was “well-positioned and ready to continue to work with the American people and the American government, regardless of the outcomes”.

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas called on all US politicians to preserve trust in the election system.

“Voter turnout in this election was historically high in the USA — unfortunately, so was polarisation,” he said.

“It is therefore important that all politicians who reach the people directly establish trust in the election process and the results. We must now be patient and wait until the elections are properly completed”