At a joint press conference with US President Joe Biden earlier, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the bond between the two countries was crucial in an “uncertain world”, AFP reports.

“The relationship between Australia and the United States has never been more important. And it has never been stronger than it is right now,” he said.

The two leaders also addressed the Israel-Hamas conflict and the war in Ukraine. Both countries are providing military aid to Kyiv and humanitarian aid for Palestinians in Gaza, while the US is supplying weapons to Israel.

Biden said both nations were “standing with Israel against Hamas terrorism” and “standing with Ukraine against (Russian President Vladimir) Putin’s tyranny.” Albanese said, “All Australians condemn the atrocities, terror and pitiless brutality of Hamas”.