Hillary Clinton has hailed a historical "milestone" for women as she claimed victory over rival Bernie Sanders in the Democratic White House nomination race.

Hillary Clinton has hailed a historical "milestone" for women as she claimed victory over rival Bernie Sanders in the Democratic White House nomination race.

Key points:

• Clinton now has enough pledged delegates to win the Democratic nomination
• Bernie Sanders has not conceded defeat, saying he will fight on
• Clinton will be the first female presidential nominee for a major party

"Thanks to you, we've reached a milestone," she told cheering supporters at a rally in New York. 

"It's the first time in our nation's history that a woman will be a major party's nominee."

Mrs Clinton's win in New Jersey, one of six states voting on the last major date of the 2016 primary race, won her an extra 73 delegates for the Democratic convention in July and sealed her place as the party's presumptive nominee.

After her New Jersey victory, the former secretary of state held out an olive branch to Mr Sanders, whose supporters she needs to enlist in the looming presidential showdown.

"I want to congratulate Senator Sanders for an extraordinary campaign," Mrs Clinton, 68, said.

"Let there be no mistake, Senator Sanders, his campaign, and the vigorous debate that we've had about how to raise income, reduce inequality, increase upward mobility, have been very good for the Democratic party and for America.

"We believe that we are stronger together. And the stakes in this election are high, and the choice is clear."

Courtesy :  http://www.abc.net.au/news