Obama no-show further blow for embattled Prime Minister

CANBERRA: United States President Barack Obama has again postponed a planned visit to Australia in a move that is likely to deprive Prime Minister Kevin Rudd of a major pre-election boost.

The White House announced yesterday that Obama would not be dropping in to see Rudd this month, rapidly closing the window for a visit before Australia goes to the polls.

Rudd will call an election before the end of the year, with speculation at present focusing on a date between late September and early November.

Although not necessarily a vote-winner for the Government, a visit by Obama would have provided Rudd with a grandstand to help boost his presently-flagging fortunes.

The visit would have underlined the continued strength of the US-Australia relationship - overwhelmingly supported by Australians - and reinforced Rudd's handling of relations with Washington.

The latest poll of attitudes by the Lowy Institute for International Affairs showed that while the Government's conduct of foreign affairs was rated average, Rudd earned seven out of 10 for US relations.

Obama was to have visited Australia for three days in March, but postponed the trip to Canberra and Indonesia to focus on the battle over his controversial health reforms.

The trip was later condensed to a one-day flying visit this month.

Although no reason has officially been given for this latest delay, commentators believe Obama is staying for the Gulf of Mexico oil spill now consuming Washington politics.

A statement from White House press secretary Robert Gibbs yesterday said that Obama had told Rudd and Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono of his deep regret at the postponement of his trip.

The statement said Obama looked forward to rescheduling to enable him to visit the two countries soon, and that he intended to hold bilateral talks with Rudd at the G-20 meetings in Canada this month.