SYDNEY: Australia's new Prime Minister Julia Gillard Saturday met the governor-general to request a general election that will be fought on the flashpoint issues of boatpeople, the economy and global warming.
Gillard, 48, who came to power three weeks ago after Labor Party factions turned on her predecessor Kevin Rudd, ousting him after less than three years when his popularity dipped, will also seek to legitimise her leadership.
Political pundits and sources within the ruling centre-left Labor party have predicted that Gillard will call a poll for August 21 or 28, triggering a five or six-week election campaign.
Australia's first woman prime minister, a former industrial lawyer, met Governor-General Quentin Bryce -- official representative of Queen Elizabeth II -- to ask her to dissolve parliament, clearing the way for a late August poll.
Gillard, 48, who came to power three weeks ago after Labor Party factions turned on her predecessor Kevin Rudd, ousting him after less than three years when his popularity dipped, will also seek to legitimise her leadership.
Political pundits and sources within the ruling centre-left Labor party have predicted that Gillard will call a poll for August 21 or 28, triggering a five or six-week election campaign.
Australia's first woman prime minister, a former industrial lawyer, met Governor-General Quentin Bryce -- official representative of Queen Elizabeth II -- to ask her to dissolve parliament, clearing the way for a late August poll.