Obama Gives It A Burl At Parliamentary Reception

Nov 16, 2011

President Obama has been welcomed to Australia, ahead of his address both houses of the parliament tomorrow morning.

At a reception in the Great Hall, Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott spoke warmly of the US-Australian relationship. Obama responded with a humorous speech about language differences between the two countries. Giving it a burl, he said the relationship is in top nick.

Barack Obama speaks at a parliamentary reception in Canberra

  • Listen to Julia Gillard’s speech:

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  • Listen to Tony Abbott’s speech:

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  • Listen to Barack Obama’s speech:

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Filed Under: ANZUS, Audio, Gillard Government, Obama Tagged With: , ,

Obama And Gillard Hold Joint Press Conference In Canberra

Nov 16, 2011

President Obama and Prime Minister Gillard have held a joint press conference in Canberra at which they announced new US troop deployments to the Northern Territory.

Obama and Gillard at Canberra press conference

Obama welcomed “a rising, peaceful China” and said China’s rise came with responsibilities such as helping to underwrite rules for economic growth. He said that China and India need to do their share of fighting climate change.

Obama said the notion that the US fears China or wants to exclude it is “mistaken”, but he emphasised a “consistent theme” that China needs to rethink its approaches to trade.

  • Listen to the Obama-Gillard press conference.

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Filed Under: ANZUS, Audio, Gillard Government, Obama, Video Tagged With: , ,

Obama’s Message To Australia

Nov 16, 2011

President Barack Obama has signed the Visitors Book in Parliament House.

Obama’s message read:

“To the People of Australia, with whom we have stood together for a century of progress and sacrifice. On this 60th anniversary of our alliance, we resolve that our bonds will never be broken, and our friendship will last for all time. Barack Obama.”

Obama's message in the Visitors Book at Parliament House

Filed Under: ANZUS, Gillard Government, Obama, Video Tagged With:

President Barack Obama Arrives In Canberra

Nov 16, 2011

United States President Barack Obama touched down in Canberra at 3.09pm this afternoon.

He was greeted by Governor-General Quentin Bryce, Prime Minister Julia Gillard and other officials at Canberra airport. Obama and Gillard are due to hold a press conference at 6pm.

Shortly after his arrival, Obama was welcomed at the Australian Parliament:

Filed Under: ANZUS, Obama, Video Tagged With: ,

Julia Gillard’s Address to the Joint Meeting of the US Congress

Mar 10, 2011

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has delivered a 35 minute speech to a joint meeting of the United States Congress.

Julia Gillard Addresses the US Congress

Click the PLAY button to listen to Gillard’s speech:

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This is the prepared text of Julia Gillard’s speech to the US Congress.

Mr Speaker.

Mr President Pro Tempore.

Distinguished Members of the Senate and the House.

Distinguished Guests.

Ladies and Gentlemen.

I am the fourth Australian Prime Minister to address you here assembled.

Like them, I take your invitation as a great honour. Like them, I accept it on behalf of Australia.

Since 1950, Australian Prime Ministers Robert Menzies, Bob Hawke and John Howard have come here.

Speaking for all the Australian people through you to all the people of the United States they each came with a simple message. [Read more...]

Filed Under: ANZUS, Audio, Congress, Gillard Government Tagged With: ,

Julia Gillard and Barack Obama at Wakefield High

Mar 09, 2011

Filed Under: ANZUS, Gillard Government, Obama, Video Tagged With: ,

The Age Publishes WikiLeaks Cables From US Embassy

Dec 15, 2010

The Age newspaper has just published the US embassy cables released to Fairfax by WikiLeaks.

This is the full text: [Read more...]

Filed Under: ANZUS, Foreign Policy, Gillard Government, WikiLeaks Tagged With: ,

Hillary Clinton With Hamish and Andy

Nov 08, 2010

United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton appeared on The 7PM Project on November 8.

Mrs. Clinton is in Melbourne for the latest round of AUSMIN talks.

Filed Under: ANZUS, U.S.A., Video Tagged With: , ,

Hillary Clinton Speaks In Melbourne

Nov 07, 2010

The United States Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, has spoken at a range of events in Melbourne today.

In the morning, Clinton spoke to a group of young Australians at the University of Melbourne. Click the PLAY button to listen to the “Australian Conversation with Hillary Clinton”, as broadcast by the ABC.

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Hillary Clinton at the University of Melbourne

Hillary Clinton at the University of Melbourne

Later, Clinton spoke at the announcement of an Australian-US collaborative research venture aimed at cutting the cost of solar energy to the level of conventional fossil fuel power within five years. Clinton was joined by Prime Minister Julia Gillard at a joint press conference.

Click the PLAY button to listen to part of Gillard’s speech, followed by a question and answer session with Clinton.

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Filed Under: ANZUS, Audio, Climate Change, Gillard Government, U.S.A. Tagged With: , , , , , ,

John Key Claims Victory For New Zealand National Party

Nov 08, 2008

John Key, incoming Prime Minister of New ZealandThe New Zealand National Party leader, John Key, has claimed victory in today’s general election.

Key said the road ahead for New Zealand may be “rocky” and called for national unity. “Now is the time for working together,” he told supporters.

Key announced that he had spoken to minor party leaders and secured their support for forming a new government.

The new Prime Minister entered Parliament in 2002, after a career in investment banking. He became leader of the National Party on November 27, 2006.

Click the Play button to listen to John Key’s victory speech:

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  • New Zealand Election Results


    • Filed Under: ANZUS, Audio, Elections Tagged With: ,