Prime Minister Stephen Harper today issued the following statement congratulating Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard on her leadership of a new government:
"On behalf of Canada, I would like to congratulate Prime Minister Gillard on the outcome of the election.
"Canada and Australia enjoy a strong and long-standing multi-faceted relationship. We greatly value our close partnership across many institutions, including the United Nations, the G-20, the World Trade Organization, the Commonwealth, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Regional Forum and the Pacific Islands Forum.
"We are looking forward to close cooperation with the Australian government as we continue to advance our countries' common values and shared interests."
