AAP has also covered Peter Dutton’s response to PNG Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko telling the ABC earlier today he would prefer to work with a Labor government:

The opposition leader says he’ll be able to work with the Papua New Guinea government despite its public preference for Labor.

Peter Dutton was asked about the rare foreign endorsement made during the  Australian election campaign from PNG Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko, who openly admitted he’d prefer to work with Anthony Albanese’s government after the May 3 poll.

“Our relationship with Australia has never been stronger,” he told the ABC.

“Why would you want to change something that is working well?

“I can clearly state that we would, I’m sure, love to see the current Australian government continue and to continue our good work.”

The comments are unusual for an overseas politician.

While foreign governments might have their preferences for which side of Australian politics they hope to work with, they are usually guarded about revealing it in public.

Asked by AAP for his response to the comments while campaigning in Melbourne on Wednesday, Mr Dutton downplayed the significance.

“I’ve known Justin for about 20 years and he’s doing a great job as foreign affairs minister in PNG,” he said.