Obama to visit Australia in March

2 Feb 2010, 6:10 pm   -   Source: AAP
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US President Barack Obama will be invited to address a joint sitting of federal parliament when he visits Australia in March, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd says.

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United States President Barack Obama will pay tribute to 70 years of diplomatic ties between Canberra and Washington when he makes his first visit to Australia in March.

First lady Michelle Obama and the president's two daughters, Malia and Sasha, will also make the journey, which will include a visit to his childhood home, Indonesia, and the US island territory of Guam.

Mr Obama's itinerary is not yet set in stone but the trip is expected to take place in late March, probably some time after the 26th when his daughters will be on spring vacation.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd indicated Mr Obama would be invited to address a joint sitting of federal parliament, however, that may require a recall of politicians to Canberra as the autumn session finishes on March 18.

"This is the way in which we respect the leaders of a great democracy and the United States is one," Mr Rudd told reporters.

Mr Rudd promised Mr Obama would be a welcome visitor to Australia, a sentiment echoed by Opposition Leader Tony Abbott.

"America is a great force for good in the world and President Obama has inspired billions of people by coming to the presidency," Mr Abbott told reporters.

"He's shown the extraordinary capacity of the American people to renew themselves.

"He will be a most welcome visitor to our country."

Mr Obama's predecessor, George W Bush, wasn't greeted so fondly on his two visits to Australia, once in October 2003 and during the Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) summit in September 2007.

Mr Bush was heckled by Australian Greens leader Bob Brown during his address to the parliament, which occurred just months after the allied invasion of Iraq.

His visit was marked by a massive security operation, which paralysed significant parts of the national capital. Mass protests marked both visits.

Mr Obama can expect a warmer welcome from Senator Brown this time around, with the Greens leader "keenly" awaiting the visit.

While the president may be feeling the strain of leadership at home, his visit to the southern hemisphere will be eagerly awaited, particularly in Indonesia, where he grew up.

In Australia, the two leaders are expected to focus discussions on US-Australian relations, which formally began during World War II.

"The president looks forward to commemorating that milestone," his spokesman Robert Gibbs told reporters.

"(Mr Obama will consult with Mr Rudd) on ways that we can build on the strong relationship between our two countries and discuss issues such as global economic recovery, clean energy and climate change, non-proliferation and Afghanistan."

Mr Rudd said the visit would "reaffirm the fundamentals" of the relationship.

Australia and the US continue to enjoy a strong relationship that flourished following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in New York and Washington.

US ambassador Jeff Bleich told ABC radio the visit was the earliest any president had come to Australia during their term in office.

"I think it demonstrates the significance of the US-Australia relationship," he said.

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