It is Mr Smith's second overseas trip since taking office after an earlier visit to Indonesia but arguably his most significant since taking office late last year.

He left Perth last night for the United States where he will meet senior members of the Administration including the Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

At the top of the agenda is the global and regional security challenges facing the two countries, including Australia's withdrawal from Iraq.

But Mr Smith's first stop is New York where he will visit the United Nations to discuss the missions in East Timor, Afghanistan and Burma as well as a number of 'G'Day USA' events to promote Australia as a trade and investment partner.

Mr Smith will then travel to Washington to attend George W Bush's State of the Union Address before travelling to Japan for trade and security talks.

The Tokyo visit comes at a time when tensions remain high over Japanese whaling activities.- Source: By Australian Broadcasting Corporation