Anthony Albanese and Donald Trump have greeted each other at the US president’s welcome reception for world leaders attending the United Nations General Assembly.
The prime minister and Mr Trump came face-to-face after Mr Albanese arrived at the evening event in New York with fiancée Jodie Haydon on Wednesday (AEST).
Earlier, a formal sit-down was locked in for the pair following months of speculation and several phone conversations between the two leaders.
About 145 leaders and their partners lined up for hours to get a picture with Mr Trump and First Lady Melania Trump.
During a press conference on the sidelines of the UN meeting, Mr Albanese confirmed the October 20 talks would take place at the White House.
Australia’s ambassador to the US, Kevin Rudd, told those attending a speech by the prime minister about investment that the government was “delighted” at the confirmation.
Much earlier in the day, Mr Trump delivered a combative 56-minute speech on the floor of the UN, arguing for lower levels of global migration and a turn away from policies to combat climate change.
He also strongly criticised moves by allies, including Australia, to support a Palestinian state.
Asked about Mr Trump’s address, Mr Albanese said it was good to hear his views.
“It was a great privilege to be at the United Nations this morning to hear President Trump and other leaders … put forward their perspectives,” he told reporters.
US ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said his nation had “strong disagreement” with the countries he described as calling unilaterally for a Palestinian state.
“It is having the opposite effect of what I think these countries want … they want to see an end to (conflict in) Gaza. This is prolonging it,” he told ABC Radio.
“The number of countries have decided to jump on this wagon, I just don’t know what they expect they’re going to get from this other than more turmoil.”
Former foreign minister Bob Carr said recognition signalled “equal humanity” for Palestinians as the same basis of respect given for Israelis.
“The message is, to Israel, stop the genocide, a brazen breach of the convention, and stop the settlement expansion on the West Bank,” he said.
The prime minister missed out on a formal meeting with Mr Trump as Australia was left off the president’s official schedule for the UN session.
The opposition had been critical of the prime minister’s failure to secure a meeting with the US president.
During his speech at the event hosted by Australia’s Macquarie Group, Mr Albanese showcased the nation to global investors, focusing on Labor’s multibillion-dollar suite of “future made in Australia” policies.
Mr Albanese might also brush past Mr Trump at October’s APEC and ASEAN summits in South Korea and Malaysia.
Australian Associated Press is the beating heart of Australian news. AAP is Australia’s only independent national newswire and has been delivering accurate, reliable and fast news content to the media industry, government and corporate sector for 85 years. We keep Australia informed.
