Hillary Clinton is a rock

Hillary Clinton thanks Australia for leadership and sympathises with Victoria fire victims | The Australian

HILLARY Clinton has thanked Australia for its friendship and leadership in Asia as she headed to the region on her first overseas visit as America's top diplomat.

Ms Clinton is breaking with tradition in heading to Asia, rather than Europe or the Middle East, on her maiden voyage as US secretary of state.

She will visit Japan, Indonesia, South Korea and China. Speculation that Australia would also be included has proven to be unfounded.

In a major foreign policy speech before her departure, Ms Clinton signalled Asia Pacific relations would be just as important as trans-Atlantic partnerships for the Obama administration.

"I hope to signal that we need strong partners across the Pacific, just as we need strong partners across the Atlantic,'' she said in a speech to the Asia Society in New York.

"We are, after all, both a trans-Atlantic and a trans-Pacific power.

"Our relationships with each of the countries I'm visiting, and with all of our partners and allies throughout Asia and the Pacific, are indispensable to our security and prosperity."

Ms Clinton flagged a "more rigorous and persistent" commitment to, and engagement with, a region that often felt neglected by the Bush administration.

She made special mention of Australia.

"Let me also thank Australia for its leadership and friendship over decades," Ms Clinton said.

"While I'm not able to visit Australia on this trip, we know that Australia is one of our most trusted allies in the world."

She sympathised with Australians over the devastating Victorian bushfires.

"We want our Australian friends to know that we mourn with them over the loss of innocent lives in this tragedy, and we remain grateful for our work together in the past and what we will do together in the future," she said.

Foreign Minister Stephen Smith welcomed Ms Clinton's visit to the region as "significant".

He expects to meet Ms Clinton when he and Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon travel to Washington for an as yet unscheduled AUSMIN meeting.