CANBERRA—Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard heads a stellar list of Australians who are in Washington for an annual talkfest between the two nations, which begins today.
Ms Gillard is leading a 100-strong delegation for the Australian American Leadership Dialogue, a bipartisan political exchange.
She will be accompanied by a who's who of government, politics and business.
Those taking part in the dialogue include former Howard Government ministers Peter Costello and Alexander Downer, former Labor state premiers Bob Carr and Peter Beattie, ex-federal Labor leader Kim Beazley and Victorian Police Commissioner Christine Nixon.
Opposition foreign affairs spokesman Andrew Robb will be the most senior coalition representative heading to Washington.
Ms Gillard says the dialogue will focus on contemporary challenges facing the allied nations.
Sessions to be covered over the three days include Asia-Pacific security, war and peace in the Middle East, global economic and financial challenges, energy security and global warming.
Discussions will also cover the US presidential election campaign and are expected to touch on last year's Australian federal election.
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