Australian FM defends PM's travel to foreign countries

CANBERRA, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- Australian foreign minister Stephen Smith said on Monday Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's trip to New York was very much in the national interest.

Smith made the remarks in response to opposition's claims that the prime minister - who flies to New York later Monday on his eighth foreign trip this year - has spent more time overseas than him.

The opposition has launched a scathing attack on Rudd, branding him more "prime tourist" than prime minister. Rudd should stay at home and deal with the ramifications of the global financial meltdown, it has said.

Smith said that over the past 10 months he has spent 67 days overseas while Rudd has been abroad for only about 40 days.

"But, in any event, the prime minister's travels overseas have been in Australia's national interest," Smith told ABC Radio from the United States where he was also to attend the UN general assembly.

"This is his second trip, for example to the United States. His first trip here was to help to ensure that the transition to a new Australian government didn't disturb the alliance with the U.S.. His trip to Europe opened up the way for a new partnership framework with the European Union," he said.

Rudd had also visited China, Japan, the Pacific and South-East Asia, Smith said. "So his travels have been pursuing our national interest consistent with the three pillars of our foreign policy which is engagement with the United Nations, our alliance with the U.S. and engagement with the Pacific."

Both Rudd and Smith will be at the UN for leaders' week and to push Australia's bid for a seat on the Security Council.