Australian PM Malcolm Turnbull

Aussie PM mocks Trump in audio leak

The Australian Prime Minister mocked his US counterpart in a speech Wednesday night to a gathered crowd of journalists and politicians, during the Australian Parliament's boozy annual Midwinter Ball.

In leaked audio aired by Australia's Channel Nine, Turnbull poked fun at his own efforts to ingratiate himself with the new US President during their meeting in New York.

'I love Australia' Trump says as leaders meet after refugee row

It is their first encounter since an acrimonious phone call in February.

"We get along great. We have a fantastic relationship, I love Australia, I always have," the AFP news agency quoted Mr Trump as saying.

Protesters also gathered in Mr Trump's home city, the first time he has returned there since his inauguration.

Mr Trump said the two leaders had "reaffirmed ties" between their two countries, and discussed economic, trade, and national security co-operation, as well as migration issues.

Australian PM issues terror warning

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is set to discuss security with other leaders at the Asean summit in Laos.

Mr Turnbull has signalled he would like to expand Australia's counter-terrorism arrangements with Indonesia, Malaysia and other neighbouring countries.

It comes after the so-called Islamic State threatened "lone wolf" attacks in Sydney and Melbourne.

Mr Turnbull said that such a threat should be taken seriously after IS suffered losses on battlefields in Iraq and Syria.

Australian PM Malcolm Turnbull accepts election blame

Counting continued on Tuesday and the race remains too close to call.

Mr Turnbull said he remained confident he could get the seats necessary to form a majority government.

His office denied accusations made by opposition leader Bill Shorten that he planned to hold a snap election in the wake of an unclear result.

Australia faces the prospect of a "hung parliament" if neither of the two main parties reaches the 76-seat quota.

With almost 80% of the vote counted, 10 seats remain in doubt, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corp.'s (ABC) analysis.