Italian PM Matteo Renzi joked that he couldn't possibly compare Australia's beaches with Italy's.

Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi joked that he couldn't possibly compare Australia's beaches with those of his home country as he toured a Sydney factory.

On the final day of his visit Down Under for the G20 summit, NSW Attorney-General and local MP Brad Hazzard told him he had to check out Sydney's beautiful coastline.

But the Italian leader said he was afraid of speaking too highly of his host's beaches in case it cost him popularity back home.

"I can't disclose with you about the quality of the beaches in Italy and in Australia because Italian people can vote," he said to laughs at the Prysmian plant in Dee Why on Sydney's northern beaches.

But he did describe Sydney as "one of the most beautiful places around the world".

Also giving a speech, Mr Hazzard described Italy and Australia as "great friends" and praised the "spirit" and "dedication" of the Italian immigrants who now call Australia home.

The pair were speaking as they visited the Prysmian plant, which employs more than 500 workers in Australia and has partnered the government for the NBN project.

Earlier on Monday, Mr Renzi went to see major construction work on a section of Sydney's North West Rail Link and Kellyville Station, which is being built by Italian-based consortium Salini Impregilo.

Read the original here:

Italian PM visits Sydney factory