Julia Gillard's off on her first visit to Washington as prime minister today as the United States watches Australia's move to introduce a carbon price amid efforts to figure out its own
approach to climate change.
Speaking ahead of her trip US ambassador Jeffrey Bleich said the US-Australia relationship is extraordinary and will continue to be so as the global centre of gravity shifts to the Asia-Pacific
region.
The prime minister will be only the fourth Australian leader to address a joint sitting of Congress next Wednesday Washington time.
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Ms Gillard will also go to New York where she'll hold talks with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon and meet business leaders.
