Albanese became Prime Minister of Australia in May last year and made clear his government’s ambition to improve ties between the two countries strained because of spying revelations and differences over maritime boundary policies.

The statement said the two leaders considered this moment as “a new chapter in relations between the two countries” and expressed their “willingness to work together”.

Albanese praised the “environment of peace and democracy in which this year's parliamentary elections took place, in which the people placed their trust in the formation of the IX Government”.

In this friendly conversation, Albanese invited Gusmão to visit Australia next year to discuss and strengthen bilateral cooperation between the two nations. 

Likewise, Gusmão also invited the Head of Government of Australia to visit Timor-Leste. 

In the first week of the IX Constitutional Government, Prime Minister Gusmão received the visit of Australia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Penny Wong, to strengthen the ties of friendship and cooperation between the two countries.