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ABC News
ABC News
Politics
Jade Macmillan

PM dismisses Labor's call for him to intervene in US election

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has rejected suggestions he should try to personally intervene in the US election, describing calls for him to contact US President Donald Trump directly "divisive" and "unnecessary".

Labor leader Anthony Albanese argued Mr Morrison had a close relationship with Mr Trump and he should convey to him Australia's view that democratic processes must be respected.

However Mr Morrison dismissed the comments as "odd".

"I think it was a suggestion that demonstrates that he may be seeking to import the politics of the United States into Australia," Mr Morrison said.

"I don't know why you'd want to do that. It has no impact here in Australia.

"They have their domestic politics. We'll leave that to them."

Mr Morrison would not be drawn on Mr Trump's baseless claims of electoral fraud, arguing he was not a participant in the United States' political process.

There has been no evidence presented of widespread voter fraud, or irregularities at election counting centres.

Mr Morrison said he would wait for the result to be declared before commenting further.

"I just think trying to draw some link between the politics of the United States and trying to inject that in a partisan way into Australia is very divisive and very unnecessary," he said.

"There is no dispute in this country about the importance of the relationship with the United States. It's always enjoyed very strong bipartisan support.

"I don't know why he'd want to inject some sort of partisan element into this."

Mr Albanese said it was in Australia's interest that the US remained a stable and a credible democracy and that Mr Morrison should speak up.

"The fact is that pressure needs to be bought by all people who believe in democratic processes," Mr Albanese said.

"It's important that the Prime Minister speaks out for democratic values at each and every opportunity."

Labor frontbencher Jason Clare said Australians should be concerned about Mr Trump's claim the election was being stolen.

"In a country as divided and as angry as America, that's like a match on a tinderbox," he said.

"And it threatens to have this not just being fought out in the courts but potentially moving onto the streets, and no-one wants to see that."

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