SYDNEY — Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Thursday called a national election for May 18, firing the starting gun on a campaign set to focus heavily on climate and the economy. The vote will decide whether the conservative government gets a rare third term in office -- and whether Morrison can beat the odds and hang on to power. Polls have consistently shown his opponents in the centre-left Labor party hold a commanding lead, pointing to a new government led by former union leader Bill Shorten. But Australian elections are often tight affairs, with a couple of dozen marginal seats deciding the outcome. And both party leaders have low approval ratings. "We live in the best country in the world," Morrison said making his announcement, arguing "our future depends on a strong economy." "Who do you trust to deliver that strong economy?" he asked. For all purposes, campaigning is already well underway and has already been deeply acrimonious. Election ads have been running … [Read more...] about Australian prime minister announces May 18 election
Prime ministers questions
Prime Minister to clarify issues within Government’s remit
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc will clarify issues within the Government’s remit on the last day of the Q&A session on November 1 (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc will give more information about some issues within the remit of the Government and field queries of legislators on the last day of the question-and-answer (Q&A) session on November 1. The PM will be the last Cabinet member to go before the National Assembly (NA) during the three days designated for Q&A on the working programme of the ongoing sixth session of the 14th parliament. On October 31, many NA deputies questioned and debated with Chief Justice of the Supreme People’s Court Nguyen Hoa Binh, Prosecutor General of the Supreme People’s Procuracy Le Minh Tri, Minister-Chairman of the Government Office Mai Tien Dung, Inspector General of the Government’s Inspectorate Le Minh Khai, and some ministers. Issues mentioned at the hearing … [Read more...] about Prime Minister to clarify issues within Government’s remit
Prime Minister meets leading US firms
Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc chaired a seminar on attracting investment to Vietnam with more than 40 leading businesses of the US participating in New York City. VNA photo Viet Nam News NEW YORK — Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc chaired a seminar on attracting investment to Vietnam in the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution with more than 40 leading businesses of the US in New York City on September 27.The event, part of the PM’s trip to attend the high-level General Debate of the 73rd Session of the UN General Assembly, attracted US businesses operating in such fields as information technology, telecommunications, retail, logistics, food, beverage, energy and construction. It was held by the Business Council for International Understanding and the FPT Company of Việt Nam.Addressing the seminar, PM Phúc expressed his wish to listen to US businesses’ aspirations and comments on the investment environment … [Read more...] about Prime Minister meets leading US firms
Prime Minister meets US firms to talk investment in Vietnam
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (centre) shakes hands with US entrepreneurs at the seminar in New York city on September 27 (Photo: VNA) New York (VNA) – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc chaired a seminar on investment attraction to Vietnam in the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution with more than 40 leading businesses of the US in New York city on September 27. The event, part of the PM’s trip to attend the high-level General Debate of the 73rd Session of the UN General Assembly, attracted US businesses operating in such fields as information technology, telecommunications, retail, logistics, food, beverage, energy and construction. It was held by the Business Council for International Understanding and the FPT Company of Vietnam. Addressing the seminar, PM Phuc expressed his wish to listen to US businesses’ aspirations and comments on the investment environment in Vietnam and showed his readiness to answer their questions so as to help … [Read more...] about Prime Minister meets US firms to talk investment in Vietnam
Prime Minister: Ngoc Linh ginseng needs protection as national brand
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc speaks at the conference. (Source: VNA) The Government leader said Ngoc Linh ginseng, which is dubbed as a national treasure, could become a source of national livelihood in different aspects, whether job generation or State budget contribution. He raised the question on how to help Vietnam’s herbal medicines and health products join the global playground, and set the target of earning billions of US dollars in production and export values from those products in the next decades. Phuc added that the target is feasible given the high growth rate forecast for the international ginseng market. To that end, it requires prompt and organized actions to assist Kon Tum and central Quang Nam province where Ngoc Linh ginseng is being planted, in implementing their ginseng development strategies, PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc said. He emphasised the need to raise the values of Ngoc Linh ginseng, both economically and medically, protect its purebred gene, and … [Read more...] about Prime Minister: Ngoc Linh ginseng needs protection as national brand