Barack Obama's trip to Australia this month could be in jeopardy as the US President pushes to clinch historic healthcare reform in America.
The government announced yesterday that Obama will address a joint sitting of federal parliament on March 23, arriving in the country the day before.
"This trip is an important part of the President's continued effort to broaden and strengthen the partnerships that are necessary to advance our security and prosperity," White House press secretary Robert Gibbs told media.
But some fellow Democrats have expressed concern that the President's absence will come during the final act of his momentous revamp of the healthcare system, which is expected to extend health insurance coverage to an extra 30 million Americans.
''It would be a good sign if perhaps the trip were postponed until we get healthcare done,'' Democrat congressman Elijah Cummings told the Bloomberg news agency.
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''Moments like this don't come often. We're at a crucial time.''
Other Democrats noted the important symbolism of the President being present to address the reform.
White House officials acknowledged that a postponement had been considered, but said the trip was on - for now.
Spokesman Robert Gibbs said: ''We are on schedule to finish health insurance reform in the House [of Representatives] on time, so there's been no change in our trip plans.''
Obama and Rudd are expected to discuss counterterrorism efforts, including both nations' troop commitments in Afghanistan, and non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, Jeff Bleich, the US ambassador to Australia, said.
