King's dream has come true: Aus PM

Praising US President-elect Barack Obama, Australian PM Kevin Rudd said that the victory of the African-American leader has turned civil rights activist Martin Luther King's "dream into reality".

Praising US President-elect Barack Obama, Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd on Wednesday said that the victory of the African-American leader has turned civil rights activist Martin Luther King's "dream into reality".

HT Image

"Martin Luther King had a dream of an America where men and women would be judged not on the colour of their skin but on the content of their character," Rudd said, adding, "Today what America has done is turn that dream into a reality."

Rudd said the US elections' result was a great testament to the strength and maturity of American democratic system.

Barack Obama carried a message of hope not just for the US but for the whole world, Rudd was quoted by local media.

"A world which is in many respects fearful for its future," Rudd said.

"The world looks to America for global leadership on the great global challenges of the 21st century," he added.

Rudd said that these challenges were the global financial crisis, climate change and the opportunities in Asia-Pacific region.

The Australian PM said he intended to make a telephone call to congratulate Senator Obama "as soon as possible".