Dr NELSON (Leader of the Opposition) (2:05 PM) —On indulgence, I join with the Prime Minister in recognising the importance of the United States democratic process and the election of Senator Barack Obama as the Democrat presidential candidate. I also recognise that Senator John McCain, the Republican candidate, has chosen Sarah Palin as the first female Republican vice-presidential nominee and only the second ever female vice-presidential nominee, behind Geraldine Ferraro for the Democrats in 1984. Sarah Palin is a 44-year-old mother of five, including a son who will soon go to Iraq and a four-month-old son with Down syndrome.

Both the presidential candidates have the very best interests of not only the United States but the world at stake, and both are very, very familiar with Australia and its strategic interests.

In relation to the United States, I also express the concern that all Australia have for the possible impact of Hurricane Gustav as it sweeps across potentially five states in the United States, affecting up to 11½ million Americans and in particular the almost quarter of a million people in New Orleans who have already been evacuated.