And from the other side of politics (well their Murdoch media mouthpieces), high praise for Albo too.
Analysis: PM’s meeting with Trump proves Sussan Ley wrong
Anthony Albanese must be feeling pretty smug right now – and he has every right to be.
Anthony Albanese inking a historic critical minerals deal with US President Donald Trump in their first formal face-to-face has exposed the hollowness of criticisms lambasting him for not flying to Washington the second Mr Trump was re-elected.
The Prime Minister “can’t get a phone call with the President” let alone an in-person meeting, the opposition and commentators declared time and time again, as they accused him of treating Australia’s “most important ally” carelessly.
Unearthed comments about Mr Trump made by Mr Albanese and senior figures in his government were supposed to derail the relationship completely.
So were recognising Palestinian statehood and pursuing green energy, while pushing back on War Secretary Pete Hegseth’s call to hike defence spending was supposed to sink AUKUS.
The Coalition charged that tariffs were proof relations were in tatters.
But all of these dire warnings were wrong – when Mr Trump welcomed Mr Albanese to the White House on Monday (Tuesday AEDT), he had just one message for Australians: “We love you.”
Inside, sat alongside Mr Albanese in the Cabinet Room, Mr Trump was given numerous opportunities to take a swipe at his Australian guest as he effortlessly took almost 30 minutes of questions from the travelling press pack.
He refused to “compare” prime ministers, but said Mr Albanese “has a big advantage”.
“I think he’s doing a really good job,” Mr Trump said.
“We’ve had a very good relationship.
“I don’t want to compare one with the other, but I’ll tell you … they’ve got a great, they really have a great prime minister.”
Etc
