US Vice President Joe Biden has urged people not to worry too much about the upcoming presidential election, saying the "better angels" will prevail.
The Republican Party on Wednesday formally endorsed Donald Trump as its presidential candidate, propelling him into a November showdown with Democrat Hillary Clinton.
Mr Trump has proposed a wall across America's southern border, mandatory return of "criminal aliens" and "extreme vetting" of Muslims seeking to resettle in the US.
Addressing the issue of racism during a speech at a Lowy Institute-US Studies Centre function in Sydney, Mr Biden said both Australia and America have been strengthened by generations of courageous immigrants.
"Because of the commitment of our citizens to our most fundamental value, because of you we move inexorably forward," he said.
"So don't worry about our election ... the better angels in America will prevail.
"At a time like this, in the force of xenophobia and demagoguery and what is being trumpeted around the world, we have to remember who we are as Australians and Americans and reflect our best selves back to the world."
Mr Biden said basic dignity could never be denied to any man, woman or child.
"That is the core of who we are," he said.
He said both nations had not always lived up to their best values and the "legacy of racism and exclusion" still left too many citizens behind.
Mr Biden encouraged Australia to do more to include indigenous people.
"Both our nations continue to look for ways to expand opportunities and the inclusion when it comes to the original inhabitants of our lands," he said.
"We not only share the same values - we understand that talk is cheap."
