Malcolm Turnbull is in no doubt America will continue its strong presence in the Asia-Pacific region after speaking with US president-elect Donald Trump.  But he's less certain about the future of the Trans-Pacific Partnership - a major trade pact promoted by Barack Obama but opposed by Mr Trump during the election campaign.  The prime minister and soon-to-be president spoke for 15 minutes on the telephone on Thursday morning, covering trade, regional security and the fight against Islamic State.  "I have no doubt that the commitment of the United States to the alliance, the presence in the region, its commitment to its allies and our neighbours will continue," Mr Turnbull told reporters in Canberra after the call.  The leaders discussed the incoming Trump administration's plan to expand the US military including a "very substantial investment" in the navy.  Australia will continue to push the US to join the TPP, which Mr Turnbull described as being in America's strategic as well as economic interest, despite the president-elect opposing it.  It is still possible the US Congress could approve it during the so-called lame-duck session.  Mr Turnbull acknowledged some of the political forces which led to the populist Republican candidate defeating his Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton, saying all governments needed to ensure economic growth was widely shared.  "It is vitally important ... the change is seen to be inclusive, that is to say no sectors or communities or regions should be allowed to be left behind," he said.  Labor leader Bill Shorten told parliament Mr Turnbull's rhetoric about "exciting times" and job creation ignored the pain being felt in mining towns, manufacturing suburbs and regional areas.  "Where there is a widening gap between incomes and opportunities ... these are the conditions for demagogues, the breeding ground for the politics of blame, for us versus them," Mr Shorten said.  "We are not yet at the point of the United States, but unless action is taken it's the direction we are headed."  The prime minister, who will meet with Mr Trump next year, said he and the president-elect shared business backgrounds and a pragmatic approach to politics.  "He is a businessman, a deal maker and he will, I have no doubt, view the world in a very practical and pragmatic way."  Australian officials are well-advanced in holding talks with the Trump transition team, as it seeks to fill around 4000 positions in the new administration.  There are already signs he will depart from current US policy on climate, with reports he is considering prominent climate sceptic Myron Ebell to lead his environmental policy transition team.  Just as the government ratified the Paris climate agreement on Thursday, Liberal MP Craig Kelly described the landmark deal as "cactus" under Mr Trump.  Asked about the MP's comment in parliament, Mr Turnbull said Australia was committed to the agreement and delivering on its pledges.  Government ministers took aim in question time at Mr Shorten's criticism of Mr Trump as "barking mad".  "He once more showed his flawed judgment and his reckless immaturity ... he is not fit to lead this country," Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said of the opposition leader.  But Labor frontbencher Tony Burke noted senior Liberals as having variously described Mr Trump as "cruel and nasty", "terrifying", "a dropkick" and "too unstable".  A Greens motion in the Senate calling on the government to reconsider the US alliance was voted down.
Australia's strong relationship with the United States will continue after Donald Trump's election at president, says Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.