Now Mr. Hockey is also taking the opportunity to meet potential investors in infrastructure. 

 

And Australia is leading the charge in relation to infrastructure initiatives that not only will grow opportunities for Australians in Australia, but there will be opportunities for Australia to contribute to infrastructure investment a lot around the world. So despite still remaining gloom in mainland Europe, I'll remain optimistic about the global economy and I'll remain certainly optimistic about the Australian economy. 

 

The treasurer was speaking overnight.

 

To the market: 

 

The Dow was high before the close. The Nasdaq and S&P 500 also made gains. In London the FTSE was closed a half percent higher.

 

Checking commodity prices: 

 

West Texas Crude is at 82 US dollars a barrel; Tapis Crude is at 90 US dollars a barrel; and Gold is at 12 hundred and 33 US dollars an ounce. 

 

And the Australian Dollar is buying 87 US cents, 69 Euro cents and 55 Pence Sterling.