The Australian government has set aside its past prickly relationship with Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and is looking forward to working with him and his new administration.

“I am looking forward to a very positive relationship with the new government and we look forward to working with Mahathir."

“It is a whole new era, so I am looking forward to this exciting chapter in Australia-Malaysia relations,” Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said in an interview with Malaysiakini.