Albanese reaps dividend of not toeing US line

Labor Party leader Anthony Albanese became the first Australian prime minister in 21 years to secure a second consecutive term, when he claimed victory in the federal election on Saturday.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio congratulated Albanese on his election to a second three-year term, saying that "The United States looks forward to deepening its relationship with Australia to advance our common interests and promote freedom and stability in the Indo-Pacific and globally". But the Albanese government has increased its majority by not modeling itself on the incumbent US administration.

Instead of stressing the "shared values" that Rubio highlighted in his congratulatory remarks, Albanese told supporters in Sydney after his win in the election that: "Australians have chosen to face global challenges the Australian way, looking after each other while building for the future," adding that "Today, the Australian people have voted for Australian values: for fairness, aspiration and opportunity for all; for the strength to show courage in adversity and kindness to those in need".