She might be considered the world's most powerful woman, but Condoleezza Rice has told 450 Perth school girls she has no plans to run for the world's top political job.
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The US Secretary of State, whose term will expire in January next year, told students at Mercedes College she would be happy to go back to an academic career when George W. Bush's presidential reign ends.
"I'm really not someone who's likely to be in political life as an elected official," said Dr Rice, who like all members of Mr Bush's Cabinet, was hand-picked by the president.
"I think (democracy) is a terrific system.
"There's nothing better but (running for office) is really not for me.
"Deep in my soul ... I'm an academic."
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The United States Secretary of State touched down at Perth Airport last night ahead of a short trip to Western Australia.
Condoleezza Rice was wearing a black pant suit and looked fresh as she stepped off her US Air Force Boeing 737 seven minutes ahead of schedule.
Ms Rice was met on the Perth Airport tarmac by Senator Chris Evans, Premier Alan Carpenter and US Ambassador to Australia Robert McCallum Jr.
It is understood she was travelling with at least 25 other people, including Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith, secret service guards and several US media. She did not address the media on her arrival.
There was a slight delay before Ms Rice's party could leave the airport, with Customs officials checking their passports on the tarmac.
Her group then made their way to a private dinner at a Perth university, where a group of protesters gathered and shouted anti-war messages outside the building while Ms Rice was eating.
Guests at the dinner include former AFL footballers Peter Bell and John Worsfold and WA Governor Ken Michael.
Dr Rice was invited to Perth by Foreign Affairs Minister Stephen Smith, who has shown her around his home city, and his electorate, today.
The tour was expected to focus on the close military ties between Australia and the United States, with the US State Department saying Dr Rice will be "paying homage to those sacrificed in the cause of freedom".
Mr Carpenter said the visit was an "acknowledgement of WA's economic and strategic significance to the nation" and Dr Rice would see first-hand the strength of the State's economy.
Private school girls had their student IDs inspected as police ramped up security ahead of Condoleezza Rice's visit to an exclusive Catholic girls' college in Perth this morning.
US Secretary of State Rice arrived in a cavalcade outside Mercedes College, near Perth's CBD, about 9am.
The school is the oldest existing secondary school in Perth. The daughter of Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Stephen Smith attends the school.
Ms Rice is expected to leave Perth today on her way to New Zealand.
