Greens leader Adam Bandt has slammed Donald Trump’s presidential win as a ‘bad day for the world’ – especially for women, people of colour and the LGBTIQ community.
Following one of the most eventful campaigns in recent memory, Trump claimed victory on Wednesday evening Australian time after the key swing state of Pennsylvania was called in his favour.
Bandt shared his disappointment in a post on social media shortly after Trump announced his victory.
‘This is a pretty terrifying outcome for many of us,’ Bandt wrote.
‘In times like these, it can be easy to feel defeated. But there’s too much at stake to give up hope.
‘We must come together and continue our fight for people and the planet.’
Bandt claimed Trump’s administration would encourage hate and far-right extremism.
Greens Leader Adam Bandt labelled Trump’s win as ‘terrifying’ and called for the federal government to urgently cut ties with the United States
Trump declared victory in the US presidential election on Wednesday night (AEDT)
‘President Trump will embolden hate and far-right extremism in the USA and abroad,’ Bandt wrote.
‘We’ve seen far-right extremism rise around the globe and time and time again it has been fortified by Trump’s anti-immigration rhetoric.’
He also called on the Albanese government to cancel AUKUS – a trilateral security pact between Australia, the UK and the US aimed at deterring Chinese aggression in the Indo-Pacific – claiming the country ‘cannot be tied to a dangerous demagogue’.
‘The Greens call on the Australian government to urgently cancel AUKUS. We must be able to make our own decisions about defence and foreign policy.’
He further admonished people to not be disheartened by Trump’s election win, adding ‘hate will not win’ and political change is still possible.
‘My heart is with every person in the USA and around the world who feels justifiable terror tonight. Hold your loved ones close,’ Bandt wrote.
‘Tomorrow we pick ourselves up and we continue the fight. Hate will not win.
‘Politics doesn’t start and end at the ballot box. It happens in our neighbourhoods, schools, workplaces, homes, and on the streets every single day.
‘Today we should ask ourselves what we’re willing to do for the change we need.’
It comes after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese congratulated Trump on his victory.
Albanese expressed his sentiments on Wednesday night following Trump’s successful bid to win the race to the White House for a second term as president.
‘Congratulations to President Donald Trump on his election victory,’ he wrote.
‘Australians and Americans are great friends and true allies. Working together, we can ensure the partnership between our nations and peoples remains strong into the future.’
Trump defeated his democratic rival Vice President Kamala Harris (pictured, embraced by current President of the United States Joe Biden) in key battleground states
Albanese reiterated the government’s firm commitment to maintaining a strong relationship between Australia and the United States.
‘Our government will work closely with the new Trump Administration to realise the benefits of our strong economic partnership,’ the statement continued.
‘The United States has long played a leadership role in the stability and security of the Indo-Pacific.
‘Australia will strive to strengthen the co-operation between our to nations in the region.’
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton also extended his congratulations to the Republican leader on behalf of the federal coalition.
He described the US as an ‘overwhelming force for good’, declaring the world was at its best when Australia’s close ally was strong and at its best.
‘May the years ahead be some of the most defining for our alliance in which, driven by tests of our times, the necessity of deterrence, and the cause of securing peace through strength, we unleash the defence, industrial and economic opportunities of AUKUS at speed and scale,’ he said.
‘In this endeavour, may we draw renewed energy and confidence from the things that unite the American and Australian people: the principles we hold dear, the patriotism that drives us, and the pragmatism that defines us.’
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