AAP
Prime Minister Julia Gillard says she's looking forward to working with re-elected US President Barack Obama to tackle global economic and security challenges.
Mr Obama has triumphed over Republican challenger Mitt Romney to win a second four-year term. Ms Gillard was among the first world leaders to congratulate him, before he even began his victory speech.
"On behalf of the government and people of Australia, I offer warm congratulations to President Barack Obama on his re-election and wish him every success for his second term in office," she said in a statement.
"Australia has worked closely with President Obama and his administration over the past four years. I look forward to continuing this friendship."
Australia and the US have a long history of working together to address global security and economic challenges, the prime minister said.
"I look forward to continuing to do so with President Obama on behalf of the people we serve," she said.
Mr Gillard has a warm personal rapport with Mr Obama. The pair famously tossed a football in the Oval Office and joked about the merits of Vegemite during a visit to a Washington DC school.
Opposition Leader Tony Abbott also congratulated Mr Obama on his victory.
"It was a hard-fought contest worthy of one of the world's greatest democracies," Mr Abbott said.
"The United States is Australia's largest and most important ally and Australia can look forward to a continuation of the best possible relations with the United States."
Senior Labor politicians Bill Shorten and Anthony Albanese took to Twitter to congratulate Mr Obama, while coalition foreign affairs spokeswoman Julie Bishop said she expects the strong bilateral relationship will endure.
US Ambassador to Australia Jeffrey Bleich, who was appointed by Mr Obama and counts him as a close friend, says he will now "see what the future brings" in terms of his role in the new administration.
"I love this job," Mr Bleich told reporters at a US embassy-organised election event at the National Press Club in Canberra.
"If he wants me to do something else, obviously you do what your president asks you to do. But he'd have to pry me out of here first."
Obama also won a mock poll at the embassy event, winning 84 votes to Romney's 19. Mr Bleich polled third, with 14 write-in votes.
"That's 14 more votes than I ever received for president before, so I'm going to declare that a victory," Mr Bleich joked.
Former prime minister Bob Hawke and American-born former NSW premier Kristina Keneally were among a select 200 people invited to watch the race for the White House at a US Consulate function in Sydney.
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