Australian PM on his conversation with Biden

Australia's prime minister Scott Morrison said Thursday he has spoken with United States president-elect Joe Biden, and discussed the coronavirus crisis and its economic impact on the world. Morrison said the two leaders discussed Australia's success in handling the pandemic and what "lessons" his country could contribute to the U.S.

He said they agreed on the importance of strengthening the alliance between the two countries. "We agreed that there was no more critical time for both this alliance between ourselves and the United States, but more broadly, the working together especially of like-minded countries," Morrison told reporters in Canberra.

Morrison said Australia would respect the transition period and continue to deal with the Trump administration until Biden takes over in January. He said it was "not a matter for Australia" whether President Donald Trump formally concedes to Biden - something Trump has yet to do. 

(Image Credits: AP)