Australian politicians have expressed concern over President Donald Trump's claims of electoral "fraud" in the US election calling for the unfolding result to be respected.
Foreign Minister Marise Payne says she is confident "every vote" will be counted after President Trump falsely claimed victory over Democratic challenger Joe Biden and made the baseless assertions.
Senator Payne said there was no question the contest had presented a "difficult moment" for the US as it works to resolve the undecided election.
"[But] I'm confident that the US systems and processes that have stood the test of time will deliver an outcome," she told the ABC.
"It's important that we respect that process, that every vote is counted, and I'm sure that they will be."
She declined to directly comment on Mr Trump's suggestions that electoral fraud has taken place in the US. It was a "matter for the US", she said.
"There are a lot of claims and counterclaims being made, and one thing that we have been very careful to avoid, as we should, is providing a running commentary on each candidate, no matter who it is."
'Dismay in Canberra'
SBS News chief political correspondent Brett Mason said MPs he had spoken to seemed "dismayed" by events in the US following the 3 November poll.
Mr Trump in a speech on Wednesday night asserted he would seek a Supreme Court injunction to review the counting of legitimate votes - such as absentee and postal ballots - beyond election day.
He has accused his opponents of trying to "steal" the election through unfounded claims of a "major fraud" taking place.
Mr Biden said his lawyers will fight the move, arguing the American nation must be "patient" and await the results, which could take days in some states with large numbers of postal votes.
The former vice president has said he believes he is "on track" to win the presidential race - helped by leads in crucial swing states such as Arizona and Michigan.
'The democratic process must be respected'
Labor's foreign affairs spokesperson Penny Wong appeared to express concern about Mr Trump's assertions following his controversial speech. She called for the democratic process to be respected "even when it takes time".
“Americans have voted in historic numbers in this election,” the Labor senator said.
“They deserve to have their voices heard. The democratic process must be respected, even when it takes time. It’s in Australia’s interest that America remains a credible, stable democracy.”
Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull tweeted simply "count every vote", once again seemingly identifying concern over President Trump's rhetoric.
Liberal MP and former diplomat Dave Sharma also expressed his concerns about the need for democratic processes to be upheld.
"Above all else, being a democratic leader means respecting the verdict of the voters, the sanctity of the process, and facilitating a peaceful transfer of power when needed," he tweeted.
"Patience and humility are both necessary virtues."
Labor's health spokesperson Chris Bowen said if the United States were a "developing democracy" - the Australian government would have likely issued a statement demanding the rule of law be respected.
Greens Leader Adam Bandt said that Prime Minister Scott Morrison must not recognise Mr Trump's "terrifying early claim of victory".
"Australia must commit itself to waiting until the electoral process is finished," he tweeted.
Source: Twitter
'It's a complete dog's breakfast'
Nationals MP George Christensen, who has defended President Trump's stance, had posts on his own Facebook page subjected to misinformation warnings for repeating claims of voter fraud taking place.
Australia's former ambassador to the US Joe Hockey also said President Trump could have grounds to take legal action to contest the election result.
George Christensen's Facebook post supporting Donald Trump's claims of voter fraud. Source: Facebook
“[Trump] hates losing, he doesn’t accept when he’s losing, and he usually reverts to litigation," he told radio station 2GB.
“There’s plenty of good reason to have litigation, I mean it is a complete dog’s breakfast right across the country.”
Mr Hockey lent weight to claims of possible electoral fraud, citing the 93 per cent result for the Democrats in Washington DC.
The Democrats have polled above 90 per cent in the US capital in every presidential election since 2008.
Mr Hockey's comments were later rebuked as not "thought through" by Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese.
'It's not for me to run a commentary'
The Trump campaign has so far said they would contest the result in Wisconsin, which has seen Mr Biden come out on top with a narrow lead.
It has also launched a legal bid to halt counting in Michigan, Pennsylvania and Georgia arguing the campaign's election monitors have not been given meaningful access to the tallying process.
There is no proof of any voter fraud to this point.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has adopted a diplomatic tone calling for patience as the US election result is determined.
He wouldn't comment on Mr Trump's premature claims of victory on Thursday.
“I’m not a participant in the US political process. It’s not for me to run commentary on those things and I won’t," he said.
Mr Albanese also said he is confident the United States will resolve the undecided contest.
Additional reporting by AAP
