Prime Minister Scott Morrison has departed for the United States for a series of meetings culminating in the first face-to-face Quad leaders' summit.
The White House meeting of the leaders of the US, Australia, India and Japan comes as senior Morrison government figures and defence officials warn of a 'deteriorating strategic environment' in the Indo-Pacific region.
A more assertive China flexing its diplomatic, trade and military muscle is a key driving force behind the Quad.
Mr Morrison will also meet with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson in Washington, after last week announcing a security pact between Australia, the UK and US known as AUKUS.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has departed for the United States for a series of meetings culminating in the first face-to-face Quad leaders' summit
The prime minister joined Mr Biden and British PM Boris Johnson in a historic three-way press conference to unveil the AUKUS alliance on Thursday
The prime minister joined Mr Biden and British PM Boris Johnson in a historic three-way press conference to unveil the alliance on Thursday.
But Mr Biden seemed lost recalling his Australian PM's name as he thanked the other two leaders who spoke before him.
'Thank you Boris, and I want to thank...' he began, before an awkward pause in which he turned and pointed to the screen with Mr Morrison's smiling face.
'That fella Down Under... Thank you very much pal... Appreciate it Mr Prime Minister,' he continued.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Thursday morning unveiled Australia's role in a historic tripartite security group alongside US President Joe Biden and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson
The prime minister said the trip to the US on Monday was about keeping Australians safe.
'This is always about ensuring that Australia's sovereign interests will be put
