When Australian prime minister Malcolm Turnbull called Donald Trump last Thursday, he was one of the first world leaders to speak to the new US president-elect.
The PM on the phone to Donald Trump (via PMO)
On Thursday, it emerged Australia, which has a longstanding diplomatic and military alliance with the US, was only able to get through to Trump because the prime minister cold-called him on his personal mobile phone, through a number provided by champion Australian golfer Greg Norman.
Norman, who has a personal friendship with the newly elected president formed through his deep association with golf, was reportedly approached by Australia's ambassador to the US, Joe Hockey, in the immediate aftermath of the shock election.
Norman, whose nickname is the "great white shark", is a two-time British Open champion and now lives in Florida.
Trump had earlier seized on a New York Times report that detailed how US allies were left cold-calling him in Trump Tower.
I have recieved and taken calls from many foreign leaders despite what the failing @nytimes said. Russia, U.K., China, Saudi Arabia, Japan,
Australia, New Zealand, and more. I am always available to them. @nytimes is just upset that they looked like fools in their coverage of me.