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Australia To Hold General Elections On August 21

(RTTNews) - Australia's Prime Minister Julia Gillard declared general elections for August 21. Gillard, the first female prime minister, will seek another three-year term.

Gillard, who was elected by the party on June 24 to replace Kevin Rudd, has been frantically trying to arrive at consensus on major disputes.

Gillard said in a press conference that she needs a mandate from the Australian people to lead the country forward. The Labor Party leader said the elections will present Australians with a very clear choice and the future focus of the country will be on better health, education services and stronger protection of borders. She assured that asylum seekers will be treated with dignity and respect.

On Friday morning, she sought permission for general elections from the representative of Queen Elizabeth II Governor General Quentin Bryce. The Governor General will dissolve the House of Representative and notify for a new mandate.

Gillard's announcement formally triggered a tough political campaign by which the ruling Labor and the opposition Liberals need to convince the electorate on sensitive policies on resources, climate change and the handling of asylum seekers.

After taking over from Rudd, who was toppled less than three years into his first term as leader after he lost confidence of the majority in his ruling Labor Party, Gillard promised elections this year. She was elevated to the top post to avoid electoral defeat, with opinion polls then showing that Labor was headed for only one term in power.