Prime Minister Scott Morrison has been flooded with videos, questions and critical messages after congratulating French President Emmanuel Macron on his re-election, months after a public riff between the two leaders.
"Congratulations Emmanuel Macron on your re-election as President. Another great expression of liberal democracy in action in uncertain times," Mr Morrison on Tuesday.
"We wish you & France every success, in particular your leadership in Europe and as an important partner to Australia in the Indo-Pacific."
Mr Macron after he defeated far-right candidate Marine Le Pen on Monday.
But underneath the message of congratulations, Twitter users noted the commentary on the relationship between the leaders, after the Morrison government abandoned a multi-billion dollar submarine contract with France in favour of AUKUS.
Others asked why the French president hadn't been tagged in the message addressed to him.
"Maybe tag him?" posed one user.
"Didn't tag him though, did ya? I'll do it for you @EmmanuelMacron," said another.
The most common reply, though, was: "I don't think, I know," echoing the extraordinary moment at the G20 summit in Rome last October when Mr Macron accused the prime minister of lying to him about the status of the submarine deal.
"Didn’t he call you a liar like 6 months ago," wrote in early April.
Some users linked to videos of Mr Macron making the accusation to reporters.
Shortly after the prime minister's message, Opposition leader Anthony Albanese also sent his congratulations to Mr Macron on Twitter.
“Congratulations President @EmmanuelMacron on your re-election."
Mr Morrison has on several occasions denied lying to Mr Macron and said the French leader knew the deal was on the rocks prior to the AUKUS announcement.
On Tuesday, Mr Morrison told reporters he had also sent Mr Macron a direct message of congratulations and a formal letter.
When asked when he had last seen Mr Macron and how he was rebuilding the relationship, he said:
"I saw him at the G20 and it hasn't been the focus of our engagement on issues we have been dealing with. We have been focusing on things closer to home for obvious reasons."
The two leaders briefly crossed paths at the G20 summit, greeting one another amid questions that Mr Morrison had taken a tense call from Mr Macron.
Since the meeting, Mr Morrison said there had been "government-to-government contact between officials" and said "what we are seeing over time is things are rebuilding."
The prime minister said he looked forward to future discussions with Mr Macron, and would "work each day in a professional way" to restore government contacts.
Mr Morrison also commended Mr Macron for playing a "strong role" in uniting Europe to assist Ukraine.
