Australia’s Albanese talks up Indo-Pacific focus amid ‘important’ US trip

The Australian prime minister is seeking to keep Washington focused on his country’s neighbourhood while the Israel-Gaza and Ukraine conflicts rage on

Discussions on the landmark Aukus nuclear-submarine pact are also expected to be a prominent feature of the visit

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Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was invited to Washington after the US president was forced to cancel a scheduled visit to Australia in May. Photo: AAP/dpa

Published: 10:59am, 24 Oct 2023Updated: 11:00am, 24 Oct 2023

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will receive a lavish welcome from US President Joe Biden at the White House this week, with talks about China and Ukraine on the menu.

The pomp-filled state visit comes as Washington looks to reinforce its ties with long-time ally Australia as part of a broader strategy to counter Beijing in the Asia-Pacific region.

Albanese, who will be honoured with a gala state dinner, is meanwhile seeking to keep Biden focused on Australia’s neighbourhood while the Israel-Gaza and Ukraine conflicts rage on the other side of the world.

Flags of Australia and US adorn the Eisenhower Executive Office Building of the White House in Washington ahead of the state visit of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Photo: AFP

“It will be an important visit,” Albanese said on Sunday before leaving. “The alliance between Australia and the United States is central to Australia’s foreign policy.”

Albanese arrives at the White House on Tuesday before the official state visit takes place on Wednesday, featuring talks with Biden in the Oval Office and a joint press conference in the iconic Rose Garden.

The state dinner on the South Lawn of the White House will reportedly include a show by US new wave band the B-52s.

Giant Australian and US flags have already been draped over a key building that forms part of the White House complex, while smaller pennants adorn lamp posts along Pennsylvania Avenue.