US election: Anthony Albanese holds first phone call with incoming US President Donald Trump

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has had his first phone call with Donald Trump to personally congratulate him on his stunning election win over Democrat Kamala Harris.

“We talked about the importance of the Alliance, and the strength of the Australia-US relationship in security, AUKUS, trade and investment. I look forward to working together in the interests of both our countries,” Mr Albanese said after the phone call.

It comes as Mr Albanese on Thursday insisted he can work with the incoming US President despite once admitting he “scares the s*** out of me”.

He said the Federal Government would work closely with the incoming Trump administration to “realise the benefits of what is a very strong economic and security partnership”.

“Australia and the United States are old allies and true friends,” he said.

“Our nations are bound by a history of shared sacrifice, a commitment to common values and, above all, an enduring respect and affection between our people.”

A 2017 video re-surfaced this week of Mr Albanese admitting Mr Trump – then in his first term as president – “scares the s*** out of me”.

“I think it’s of some concern the leader of the free world thinks that you can conduct politics through 140 characters on Twitter overnight,” Mr Albanese said in the footage.

Asked if he felt to need to apologise to Mr Trump, Mr Albanese said he looked forward to working with the incoming President.

“I have demonstrated, I think, my ability to work with world leaders and to develop relationships with them which are positive,” he said.

Opposition leader Peter Dutton said Mr Albanese’s 2017 comments showed “terrible judgment”.

“I think he’s showing it right up to this very day, but there’s a lot of repair work to do and I think more than ever we need America to be strong and there’s a great deal of uncertainty in the world and I think that’s part of the reason people voted Donald Trump in because they saw him as a stronger leader, not as a weaker one,” Mr Dutton told Sydney’s 2GB radio.

Mr Albanese also threw his support behind Kevin Rudd to remain Australia’s top diplomat in Washington despite the former Labor Prime Minister once describing Mr Trump as “the most destructive president in history”.

“Kevin Rudd is doing a terrific job as Australia’s ambassador to the United States,” Mr Albanese said.

Mr Trump was returned to power on an America-first agenda platform that included slapping huge tariffs on Chinese imports, deporting migrants and encouraging more oil and gas projects.

“President Trump has run a campaign based on change and he’s made it clear he’s going to do things differently, so we shouldn’t be surprised as things change,” Mr Albanese said from Parliament House in Canberra.

“But equally, we should be really confident in ourselves and our place in the world and our ability to deliver on our interest together as Australians.”

Earlier, Foreign Minister Penny Wong sought to play down past criticisms of Mr Trump from Labor figures, including Mr Albanese.

“We’ve got an alliance between two nations that is grounded in our big strategic objectives and our great democratic values,” Senator Wong told Channel 7’s Sunrise.

“And that alliance has stood the test of time and it is bigger than any individual or any past comments. We look forward to working with Mr. Trump.”

Asked how the Government would navigate a second Trump presidency, Senator Wong also said Australia should brace for upheaval.

In an opening statement to Senate estimates on Thursday, Senator Wong said the Federal Government looked forward to working with the incoming Trump administration.

“Our Government will work closely with the new Trump administration to realise the benefits of our strong economic partnership,” she said.

“We will strive to strengthen co operation between our two nations in our region.”