Positive Forecast 2005 - 2006
Australia's economic prospect - forecast by the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) - is 3.8% for 2005 and 3.6% for 2006.
These figures are 0.5% - 0.7% p.a. higher than the average OECD countries' growth rates for 2005 - 2006.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) praises Australia for its strong economic performance, six years of budget surpluses, falling public debt, low inflation, high and rising productivity and a dynamic job market.
Australia is strongly favoured as a recipient of foreign direct investment (FDI), according to global consulting firm, A T Kearney, in its latest FDI Confidence Index.
Australia jumped from 19th place in 2003 to 7th most attractive market worldwide in 2004. This reflects the increasing confidence foreign investors have in Australia
.