As the Coalition edges closer to the 76 seats, Scott Morrison has a new fan – Donald J. Trump.
The US President tweeted his congratulations to an ideological ally almost as soon as the Coalition’s “miracle” victory became apparent.
The White House said he and Morrison had spoken by phone and “pledged to continue their close co-operation on shared priorities”.
The result has been cheered by conservatives in the US and compared to Mr Trump’s surprise 2016 presidential win when polls had predicted he didn’t have a chance against Hillary Clinton.
Mr Trump’s congratulatory message wasn’t the only to arrive at The Lodge. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also welcomed Australia’s surprise Coalition election win.
The result drew comparisons with Trump’s victory in 2016, when the real estate mogul defied polls and pundits to defeat Democratic rival Hillary Clinton by winning over the so-called silent majority.
Mr Morrison recognised West Jerusalem as Israel’s capital last year, reversing decades of Middle East policy and following Trump’s decision to move the US embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv.
“I know that under your leadership the great friendship between Australia and Israel will grow even stronger,” Netanyahu said to Morrison on Twitter.
Congratulations to my dear friend @ScottMorrisonMP for the election victory. I know that under your leadership the great friendship between Australia and Israel will grow even stronger. 🇮🇱🇦🇺
— PM of Israel (@IsraeliPM) May 18, 2019
Read the article in The New Daily (with AAP).