Sunday 22 May 2022 11:04 PM US President Joe Biden calls to Anthony Albanese to congratulate him on his ... trends now
With counting from Saturday's election yet to confirm whether he will govern in majority, Mr Albanese will on Monday attend Government House in Canberra with Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, incoming foreign minister Penny Wong, new treasurer Jim Chalmers and new finance minister Katy Gallagher.
The ministers will cover all portfolios until the Labor caucus can meet the week after next to put in place the full ministry.
Mr Albanese and Senator Wong will head to Tokyo on Monday afternoon for the Quad meeting with Mr Biden, host leader Fumio Kishida and Indian prime minister Narendra Modi.
The prime minister-elect issued a statement on Sunday night, saying he would use the meeting to talk about his government's ambitions to tackle climate change and pursue a stronger foreign policy focus on the region.
'This will be my first international trip as prime minister and I am honoured to represent Australia at this important forum,' the statement read.
'The Quad Leaders' Summit brings together four leaders of great liberal democracies - Australia, Japan, India, and the United States of America - in support of a free, open and resilient Indo-Pacific, with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) at its centre.
'Under my government, Australia will continue to work through the Quad to deliver positive and practical initiatives in our region, including on health, security, and climate change.'
Mr Biden spoke with Mr Albanese on Sunday and reaffirmed US commitment to the US-Australia alliance.
'President Biden expressed deep appreciation for the Prime Minister-designate's own early commitment to the alliance, reflected in his decision to travel almost immediately to Tokyo to attend the Quad Summit," a US government readout of the call
