Obama Snaps up 'Unique' Crocodile Gift

Barack Obama said Thursday he received the "most unique gift" since becoming American president when he was presented with a framed crocodile insurance policy in northern Australia.

Obama made a whirlwind stop in Australia's tropical north to address troops in Darwin on his way to Bali, where he is due at the East Asian Summit.

"I know the training missions around here are quite tough, at least that's what I've heard. Big open spaces, harsh weather, mozzies (mosquitoes), snakes, crocs," the president told a hangar full of Australian and U.S. troops.

"In fact I was just presented with the most unique gift I've ever received as president: crocodile insurance. My wife Michelle will be relieved.

"I have to admit that when we reformed health care in America crocodile insurance is one thing we left out," he added, provoking laughter.

The quip was a wry acknowledgment of his long and bitter battle to expand medical coverage in the United States, which saw his conservative foes slam the president for what they branded a government takeover of health care.

Obama is the first U.S. president to visit Australia's Northern Territory, the heart of "Crocodile Dundee" country, and local firm TIO snapped up the chance to insure the high-profile visitor against reptilian attacks.

The policy, framed and presented to him, would have paid out Aus$50,000 (US$50,870) if he was fatally attacked by a saltwater crocodile, or "saltie", which kill an average of two people a year.

Salties can grow up to seven meters (23 feet) long and weigh more than a ton.

Obama had earlier joked with school students in Canberra about the deadly array of native creatures in Australia, which includes snakes, spiders, sharks and the infamous croc.

The health care fight drained Obama's political capital but culminated in the most sweeping domestic legislation passed by a U.S. president since the 1960s.

The law is now however in the hands of the U.S. Supreme Court which is expected to rule on its constitutionality just as his tough 2012 re-election race heats up.