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This was published 4 years ago
Donald Trump relieved he didn't need to meet yet another Australian PM
Washington: When Donald Trump tweeted congratulations to Scott Morrison on his election victory the US President was not just being polite: he was privately delighted that he would not have to build a relationship with his third Australian prime minister.
Washington sources have told The Age and Sydney Morning Herald that Trump was baffled by the Liberal Party's decision to remove Malcolm Turnbull last August, and found it bizarre that a country could have three prime ministers within a year.
Scott Morrison and Donald Trump at the G20 summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina, last November.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen
Trump places high importance on his personal chemistry with fellow leaders, even if they represent a long-standing US ally such as Canada, the UK or Australia.
Morrison's election increases the chance that Trump will make his first visit to Australia this year, most likely to coincide with the President's Cup golf tournament in Melbourne in December.
While Trump was already hoping for leadership continuity in Canberra, he was ecstatic about the way Morrison's victory was portrayed in the US media.
Outlets ranging from The New York Times to Fox News depicted the Australian election result as a triumph of Trump-style populism down under.
The Times described Morrison's victory as "another swell in the wave of populist fervour that swept President Trump into office and set Britain on a path out of the European Union".
Even though this is not necessarily accurate, the portrayal endeared Morrison to Trump by reminding him of his own against-the-odds victory in 2016.
"Congratulations to Scott on a GREAT WIN!" Trump tweeted when the surprise Australian election result became clear.
Australia has fared well under the Trump administration, having been spared from tariffs on steel and aluminium imports to the US. Trump also agreed to honour the refugee resettlement deal struck between Malcolm Turnbull and Barack Obama.
Some delicate diplomatic footwork would have been required at the White House if Labor had won the election. In 2016, during the Republican presidential primaries, Bill Shorten said he thought Trump was "barking mad on some issues".
Morrison's victory also ensures stability in the bilateral relationship by ending the possibility of Australia's ambassador in Washington, Joe Hockey, being sent home early.
Labor sources had said Hockey was on a "hit list" of possible Liberal appointees who could be recalled from their diplomatic postings, alongside George Brandis in London and Richard Court in Tokyo.
The former treasurer recently announced he would return to Australia when his four-year term expires at the end of the year.
Hockey has built up strong contacts in the Trump administration and has played golf several times with the President.
Australia's ambassador to Washington, Joe Hockey, on the tennis court at his residence in Washington.Credit: Joshua Yospyn
He has indicated he will not seek an extension of his posting even though the Coalition was re-elected.
Former foreign minister Julie Bishop was discussed as a possible successor to Hockey during the election campaign, but she has said she plans to work in the private sector in Australia.
"I was foreign minister for five years, and that’s the best job you can have in the foreign service for Australia,” Bishop said last week.
"I’m not looking to get a government job."