Scott Morrison on Saturday conceded defeat after Australians voted to oust his government. He said that he called Opposition leader Anthony Albanese to congratulate him on his win.

“Tonight, I have spoken to the Leader of the Opposition, and the incoming Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, and I’ve congratulated on his election victory this evening,” Scott Morrison said, SBS World News reported. 

“On a night like tonight, it is proper to acknowledge the functioning of our democracy. I’ve always believed in Australians and their judgement, and I’ve always been prepared to accept their verdicts. And tonight, they have delivered their verdict, and I congratulate Anthony Albanese, and the Labor Party, and I wish him and his government all the very best.”

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Morrison, whose loss in the elections means the end of 10-year-old conservative rule, said he will hand over the Liberal Party leadership at the next party room meeting “to ensure that the party can be taken forward under new leadership, which is the appropriate thing to do”.

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“I have had the great privilege to lead this great party and to lead this great nation. And the reason I’ve been able to do that is I’ve been supported by so many and I want to thank all of those colleagues tonight for all of their great work in service of their country,” he said.

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Meanwhile, several leaders took to social media to congratulate Anthony Albanese on his election win.

“Congratulations to Anthony Albanese, the next Labor Prime Minister of Australia. I look forward to working with@AlboMP in the interest of all Queenslanders,” Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk tweeted.