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Updated November 17, 2011, 11:29 am
•'Asia Pacific is a top priority'
US President Barack Obama has addressed Parliament before heading to Darwin to wrap up his whirlwind tour.
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US President Barack Obama has drawn on the fair go nature of Australians and Americans to underline the historical and cultural likeness between the two nations.
Mr Obama on Thursday addressed a special sitting of MPs and Senators in a packed House of Representatives, on the second day of his first official visit to Australia.
It's the fourth time a US president has addressed federal parliament, following George W Bush, Bill Clinton and George Bush senior.
"The bonds between us run deep," he said.
"In each other's story we see so much of ourselves. Ancestors who crossed vast oceans-some by choice, some in chains.
"Settlers who pushed west across sweeping plains. Dreamers who toiled with hearts and hands to lay railroads and build cities.
"Generations of immigrants who, with each new arrival, add a new thread to the brilliant tapestry of our nations.
"And we are citizens who live by a common creed-no matter who you are or what you look like, everyone deserves a fair chance; everyone deserves a fair go."
Mr Obama noted he had travelled to Australia as a child and was struck then by the optimism and easy going ways of its people.
"I have always wanted to return," he added.
The president said the 60-year-old ANZUS alliance between the US and Australia had never been stronger, saying America was turning its attention to the Asia Pacific region.
"The United States has and always will be a Pacific nation," he said.
Mr Obama said the events of September 11, 2001 had sustained the relationship through a difficult decade, as innocent lives were lost.
"That is why ... we are determined to succeed in Afghanistan," he said.
He honoured the 32 Australian soldiers who had died, naming the last three troops killed last month - Ashley Birt, Bryce Duffy and Luke Gavin.
"We will honour their sacrifice by making sure Afghanistan is never again used as a source for terrorism," he said.
In the Pacific and Australia, the US sees the future.
"As the world's fastest-growing region - and home to more than half the global economy - Asia is critical to achieving my highest priority: creating jobs and opportunity for the American people," he said.
"With most of the world's nuclear powers and nearly half of humanity, this region will largely define whether the century ahead will be marked by conflict or cooperation, needless suffering or human progress.
"As President, I've therefore made a deliberate and strategic decision - as a Pacific nation, the United States will play a larger and long-term role in shaping this region and its future, by upholding core principles and in close partnership with allies and friends."
Mr Obama and Prime Minister Julia Gillard on Wednesday announced an expansion of US military activity in Australia, beginning with an increase in the presence of US Marines from mid-2012.
While the US was reducing defence spending, as it begins to wind down the war in Afghanistan, it is also considering the future of its armed forces.
"And here is what this region must know," he said.
"As we end today's wars, I have directed my national security team to make our presence and missions in the Asia Pacific a top priority.
"As a result, reductions in US defence spending will not - I repeat, will not - come at the expense of the Asia Pacific.
Mr Obama said the US would "preserve" its ability to project power and deter threats to peace.
"The United States is a Pacific power, and we are here to stay," he added.
Mr Obama said he was humbled and deeply moved during his visit to the Australian War Memorial earlier on Thursday where he paid respects Australia's "fallen sons and daughters".
Later he will visit the Northern Territory, joining Ms Gillard in saluting men and women in uniform.
"It will be a reminder that from the trenches of the First World War to the mountains of Afghanistan, Aussies and Americans have stood together," Mr Obama said.
"We have fought together, we have given lives together in every single major conflict of the past 100 years, every single one."
Mr Obama said we would never forget the attacks of 9/11 which claimed the lives of many, including Australians.
"That is why we are determined to succeed in Afghanistan," he said.
"That is why I salute Australia, outside of NATO the largest contributor of troops to this vital mission.
"And it's why we honour all those who have served there for our security, including 32 Australian patriots who gave their lives."
Barack Obama greeting children at Parliament House
Obama visits the Australian War Memorial
After a warm reception in Canberra yesterday, President Obama attended the Australian War Memorial shortly after 9am (AEDT) this morning. The president honoured Australia's war dead by laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
He made his way past the Wall of Remembrance, which contains the names of more than 100,000 Australians killed in action, pausing for a moment to reflect on two of the panels.
The first was for HMAS Sydney, sunk with no survivors in Australia's worst naval disaster in 1941.
The second was for more than 30 Australian airmen who lost their lives serving with the US Armed Air Force in World War II.
The president was warmly welcomed by Governor-General Quentin Bryce, Prime Minister Julia Gillard, Veteran Affairs Minister Warren Snowden and memorial council chairman Peter Cosgrove.
After his parliament address, the focus will then be on education, with a visit to a local primary school by President Obama and Prime Minister Julia Gillard.
The strengthening of the ANZUS alliance and its 60th anniversary are expected to be highlighted further in the presidential speech, along with a steely resolve to finish the task ahead in Afghanistan.
There will also be a tree planting ceremony at the US embassy to mark the president's visit.
President Obama will then jet off aboard Air Force One to Darwin, where he will visit the memorial of the USS Peary, which honours the 80 American sailors killed when the warship was bombed by Japanese dive bombers in the 1942 attacks on the port.
Brown on best behaviour for Obama speech
Australian Greens leader Bob Brown says he will listen intently to Barack Obama when the US president addresses a joint meeting of parliament later on Thursday.
That's because he regards Mr Obama as "wiser and more astute" than his predecessor George W Bush.
Senator Brown castigated Mr Bush during a presidential address to parliament in 2003, demanding the US withdraw from Iraq and release Australian terror suspect David Hicks from detention.
The Greens leader and other parliamentarians have been warned by Speaker Harry Jenkins to behave themselves during President Obama's visit.
Senator Brown will be on his best behaviour, indicating he will be "listening intently" to the president's speech.
"(The president) is very welcome here, it's a pity he can't stay longer," he told ABC radio.
Mr Obama is due to speak at 10.15am (AEDT).
Before that the president will visit the Australian War Memorial to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
After the speech he will accompany Prime Minister Julia Gillard on a visit to a local school before heading to the US embassy to meet staff.
The president leaves Canberra for Darwin after midday.
Opposition Leader Tony Abbott plans to congratulate Mr Obama on progress the US is making with the so-called war on terror when the two meet on Thursday morning.
"I've just come back from Afghanistan and I'll be able to let him know how proud Australian forces are to be serving with their American comrades," he told reporters in Canberra.
Climate change also will be a topic for discussion.
"It's interesting the president made it clear last night America has no intention of moving towards an economy-wide carbon tax," Mr Abbott said, adding Australia was exposed in the absence of an international deal.
"There's no doubt what the Americans are doing is along the lines of what the coalition proposes."
Mr Abbott joined his parliamentary colleagues for a dinner in President Obama's honour on Wednesday night.
"The dinner was a very warm occasion, it reflected well on Australia," he said.
"We were all at our best last night."
Mr Abbott joked that President Obama's attempt at Australian slang during his dinner speech was as good as his own impersonation of the American accent.
Liberal MP Ken Wyatt, the first indigenous MP in parliament's lower house, said he had told President Obama about their shared birthday (August 4) during the parliamentary dinner.
"It was a great privilege to meet him," Mr Wyatt told reporters, adding the president was an inspiration to Aboriginal people in Australia.
"It's good for people to see you have an American president who is different to his historical counterparts, who has gotten there on merit alone," Mr Wyatt said.
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