Australian treasurer congratulates new UK PM

Australia's Treasurer Jim Chalmers has congratulated former British Treasury chief Rishi Sunak who is set to become the United Kingdom's first prime minister of color.

Chalmers told reporters in Canberra on Tuesday that Sunak is friend of Australia and he looks forward to working with him.

Sunak was chosen Monday to lead the UK's governing Conservative Party desperate for a safe pair of hands to guide the country through economic and political turbulence.