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United States Department of State

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Embassy of the United States of America in Canberra

Last update: Tuesday, 18 November 2008 GMT+1000

  • Prime Minister Rudd addresses the group of Fulbright scholars and alumni. Embassy photo by Adam P. Wilson.

    Keeping Fulbright Connection Strong

    Ambassador Robert McCallum joined with Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd in recognizing the important role of Fulbright Scholarships in nurturing the strong relationship between the two countries at a reception at the Ambassador’s residence in November. The two serve as honorary co-chairs of the Australian-American Fulbright Commission.

  • Ken Mayer appeared via DVC to discuss the election to packed rooms in Canberra, Perth and Sydney.

    Understanding the Obama Victory

    Political scientist Ken Mayer from the University of Wisconsin recently shared his analysis of Senator Barack Obama’s election victory in digital conferences with audiences in Canberra, Sydney and Perth. In a program titled “The Race to the White House — It is Over! How did Obama Win? And Why?”

  • Ambassador McCallum addresses the packed hall watching the election results come in. Embassy photo by Adam P. Wilson.

    Americans and Australians Join to Watch Election Results

    Under red, white and blue streamers and balloons, Australians joined with Americans to watch the vote totals come in for U.S. president at special Election Watch events in Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane, Adelaide and Darwin. Ambassador Robert McCallum was among those attending the Election Watch in Canberra.

U.S. Embassy Statement on the Elections

Americans have once again exercised their democratic rights in a free and open election that saw the selection of Senator Barack Obama as our 44th president.

We fully expect that the new Administration, which assumes office January 20, 2009, will continue America’s close partnership with Australia. Ours is a relationship based upon common national interests and shared democratic values. It is one that has existed and flourished regardless of which party has held office in Washington or Canberra.

We look forward to continuing to working with Australia to address the great challenges of our day.

Bush Calls Qadhafi to Praise Settlement Agreement

A telephone call between President Bush and a world leader is a common enough event to not merit much attention, but when the president called Libyan leader Muammar Qadhafi November 17 it represents a remarkable turnaround in U.S.-Libyan relations. Read more…

More News from the Embassy

ESTA: Electronic System for Travel Authorization U.S. Department of Homeland Security

New Travel Rules Take Effect January 12, 2009

Beginning January 12, 2009, all nationals and citizens of Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries, including Australia, are required to obtain a travel authorization prior to initiating travel to the United States. This authorization may be obtained online through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), a free Internet application administered by the Department of Homeland Security.

There is no charge to complete the ESTA application. VWP travelers should be aware that unauthorized third-parties have established websites, which charge visitors for information and for submitting ESTA applications. These websites are not endorsed by, associated with, nor affiliated in any way with the U.S. government.

In advance of the deadline, VWP visitors may voluntarily apply for the travel authorization.

For more information, start by reading our page on the Visa Waiver Program.

Maj Smith USAF meets one of the younger Doomadgee dancers. Embassy photo by Adam P. Wilson.

Doomadgee Dance Recounts Crash of WWII American Bomber

As elders chanted, school children from the Doomadgee territory recounted the crash of a U.S. Air Force bomber some 60 years ago in their isolated homeland in far northern Queensland during a special performance at the American Embassy recently.

Alan Griffin MP, Minister for Veterans Affairs, James B. Peake, M.D., Secretary for Veterans Affairs and Nola Anderson, Assistant Director, Australian War Memorial. PAS photo by Penina Reid.

U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs James B. Peake, M.D. visits the Australian War Memorial in Canberra

Secretary Peake is sharing U.S. models, experience and progress in veteran care via a keynote address to the national colloquium on rehabilitation — a joint initiative of the Australian Government Departments of Veterans’ Affairs and Defense.

Members of the U.S. National Minority Supplier Developer Council and the Australian Indigenous Minority Supplier Council at the Embassy. PAS Photo by Adam P. Wilson.

Ambassador Hosts Leaders of Minority Councils

On September 18, Ambassador McCallum and Mrs. McCallum hosted a morning tea in honor of the visiting members of the Australian Indigenous Minority Supplier Council and the U.S. National Minority Supplier Development Council. Members of the U.S. National Minority Supplier Development Council traveled to Australia to engage in a peer-to-peer exchange of best practices with members of the Australian Indigenous Minority Supplier Council. Two of the individuals who made the trip from the U.S. were National Director of the Minority Business Development Agency Ronald Langston and President of the National Minority Supplier Development Council Harriet Michel.

U.S. – Australia Student Work and Travel Pilot Program

The Student Work and Travel Pilot Program announced by President Bush and Prime Minister Howard in September went into effect October 31, 2007.

Please see our nonimmigrant visa page for general information on the U.S. visa application process, including how to apply for a U.S. visa in Australia.

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