Anthony Albanese has introduced himself to yet another new British prime minister, holding his first talks with Andy Burnham.
Former Mayor of Greater Manchester Mr Burnham took on the keys to Number 10 Downing Street early on Monday after succeeding Sir Keir Starmer as leader of the Labour Party.
He becomes Mr Albanese’s fifth British opposite number since he was elected Australia’s PM in May 2022.
In their first telephone conversation since Mr Burnham’s appointment, Mr Albanese shared the good word and extended an invitation for the new PM to visit Down Under.
During the call, Mr Albanese extended his congratulations to Mr Burnham on his appointment, while also discussing issues across the breath of the Australia’s long-lasting relationship with the United Kingdom.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese addresses the 50th National Labor Conference at the Adelaide Convention Centre. Picture: NewsWire / Brenton Edwards
The broad conversation covered such topics as the AUKUS security partnership, trade and economic investments and Australia’s world-leading social media age ban.
They also discussed the need for the two nations to address global challenges together, such as the conflict in the Middle East and the risks and opportunities of AI.
They also discussed their shared passion for rugby league.
It is the fifth time that Mr Albanese has held introductory talks with a British prime minister, following a period of political instability in the nation.
Andy Burnham, new prime minister of the United Kingdom (Photo by Toby Melville – WPA Pool/Getty Images)
When Mr Albanese first became prime minister in 2022, Boris Johnson was almost three years into his spell in Number 10.
He was then succeeded in September of that year by Liz Truss, whose premiership was outlasted by a lettuce.
Ms Truss was replaced as Conservative Party leader and PM by Rishi Sunak, who held onto the position until the 2024 General Election, which was won in a landslide by the Labour Party.
Sir Keir then held onto the post for two years and 16 days until his resignation.
