STATEMENTS › Visit by President of the United States of America
Senator CHRIS EVANS (Western Australia—Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Jobs and Workplace Relations and Leader of the Government in the Senate) (14:00): by leave—I am pleased to inform the Senate that the President of the United States, Mr Barack Obama, has accepted the Prime Minister's invitation to visit Australia over the period 16-17 November 2011. Senator Ian Macdonald: Are you sure? Senator CHRIS EVANS: He has accepted the invitation. I can advise that President Obama will address a combined sitting of the parliament on 17 November. The President's visit takes place in the same year that we mark the 60th anniversary of the Australia-United States alliance and the 10th anniversary of the 9-11 attacks. It is also a visit in which we will focus on strengthening our long-held alliance and the future opportunities for Australia and the United States in this Asian century. I am sure members and senators will warmly welcome President Obama to the parliament.