France takes a brutal swipe at Scott Morrison after Labor win election

France‘s outgoing foreign affairs minister took a parting shot at Scott Morrison after Anthony Albanese claimed a victory in Saturday’s election.

Mr Morrison’s reputation in the European country was destroyed after President Emmanuel Macron accused him of lying about Australia’s intentions in signing a submarine contract with the country’s defence force.

Jean-Yves Le Drian, one of France’s most senior politicians, celebrated Mr Morrison’s defeat and accused him of being ‘incompetent’.

‘I can’t stop myself from saying that the defeat of Morrison suits me very well,’ the country’s foreign affairs minister said.

Jean-Yves Le Drian, one of France’s most senior politicians, said Scott Morrison’s decision to pull out of the submarine contract was a sign of ‘unequivocal incompetence’

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French President Emmanuel Macron labelled Scott Morrison a ‘liar’ when speaking to Australian reporters at the G20 Summit

Diplomatic tensions between the two countries have escalated since Australia pulled out of a $90billion deal with France to manufacture its next generation of submarines. 

Hours after the pair shared an awkward exchange at the G20 Summit in Rome, the French President made his feelings known about Mr Morrison during a fiery exchange with Australian journalists, labelling his counterpart a ‘liar’.

Mr Le Drian said Mr Morrison’s decision to walk away from the agreement was a clear sign of ‘brutality and cynicism’.

‘I would even be tempted to say of unequovical incompetence,’ he said of Mr Morrison’s actions.

The outgoing minister said he hopes Mr Albanese can help restore the relationship between the two countries and ‘can resume frank and constructive dialogue with Australia in the future’.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern meanwhile thanked Mr Morrison for the ‘working relationship’ the pair had during his tenure.

‘I would also like to acknowledge the strong working relationship I had with Scott Morrison. I am confident that the close and unique relationship between New Zealand and Australia will continue under Mr Albanese’s leadership,’ she said.

An awkward handshake in Rome between Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison (right) and French President Emmanuel Macron (left)

‘I hope to meet Prime Minister Albanese in the near future, and look forward to working with him on a range of issues including supporting New Zealanders living in Australia, making trans-Tasman business even easier, deepening our partnership with our close friends in the Pacific, and advancing our interests on the world stage.

‘Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand are at our best when we work together; when we acknowledge our mutual interests, our shared values and the uniqueness of our perspectives; when we stand united as allies and whānau, recognising the strength in our diversity.’

Ms Ardern said she had already spoken with the new PM and looks forward to meeting with him. 

‘I spoke to Anthony Albanese … as he was preparing to address his supporters. It was a warm conversation and I’m really looking forward to formally meeting with him soon,’ she said in a statement.

‘Anthony and I have had the chance to meet before and I have no doubt we’ll have a strong working relationship that will serve both countries well.

‘Australia is our most important partner, our only official ally and single economic market relationship, and I believe our countries will work even more closely together in these tumultuous times.’