AAP General News (Australia)
12-08-2008
FED: Swan, Crean jetting back from weekender in China
CANBERRA, Dec 8 AAP - Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan is returning to Australia after
making a rushed trip to China at the weekend, leading to suggestions the government is
exploring ways to fund its infrastructure plans.
The official government line is that Mr Swan, who was accompanied by Trade Minister
Simon Crean, was in China to discuss economic issues and Australia's growing investment
and trade relationship.
That relationship included efforts to advance the free-trade agreement negotiations
and cooperation on the Doha development round, a spokesman for the treasurer said.
The spokesman denied the two senior ministers had gone to China in search of potential
sources of funding for infrastructure projects.
The government has just $26 billion in its Building Australia Fund, but a $700 billion
wish list of projects.
Mr Swan told parliament last week that suggestions the government had struck a deal
to channel funds from the Middle East into a new infrastructure bank for the states were
"just absurd".
The government is still considering options to ensure planned infrastructure spending
by the states is not curtailed due to difficulties raising funds because of the global
financial crisis.
AAP cb/rl/jm/mn
KEYWORD: INFRASTRUCTURE
2008 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.
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