PM Lee congratulates Australian PM Morrison on election victory
Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison with wife Jenny and children Abbey and Lily after winning the 2019 Federal Election on May 18, 2019.
SINGAPORE — Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong offered his congratulations to Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison after the latter’s “well fought victory” in Australia’s federal elections on Sunday (May 19).
With around three-quarters of approximately 17 million votes counted, Mr Morrison's Liberal-led conservative coalition has won or is leading in 76 seats — the number needed to form a majority government, reported Reuters.
The election results have defied opinion polls that widely predicted a victory for the opposition Australian Labor Party instead.
In his congratulatory letter, Mr Lee noted that Singapore and Australia share a “robust and longstanding relationship”, with co-operation between the two countries spanning a broad spectrum of areas including defence, trade, science and innovation as well as people-to-people exchanges.
“Our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership has deepened significantly in recent years, and I look forward to continue working with you to strengthen existing links, and to explore new areas of collaboration such as in the digital economy,” wrote Mr Lee.
He expressed his hope that Mr Morrison will be able to attend the annual Singapore-Australia Leaders’ Summit in Singapore this year.
“I wish you the very best of health and success, and look forward to seeing you soon,” continued Mr Lee.
