17 January 2013

Visit to the United States

Today I arrive in the United States to attend a series of meetings with global leaders in finance, economics and central banking, and to address G'day USA's Australian Outlook Lunch.

The US remains one of Australia's most important economic relationships, as our largest source of foreign investment and our third largest trading partner.

As the world's largest economy, the recovery in the US is critical to the economic prospects of the whole world.

I will use this visit to promote the enduring resilience of the Australian economy and financial system to key international investors.

I will be highlighting the remarkable performance of the Australian economy against the backdrop of the most acute and persistent global economic volatility in 80 years.

My meetings in New York will also provide an important opportunity to take the pulse of progress at this critical stage of the economic recovery in the US.

In New York I will meet with the New York Federal Reserve President Dr William Dudley, and Vice President Mr Terrence Checki, senior representatives from financial institutions and major credit rating agency Standard & Poor's. These meetings will provide a timely perspective on recent developments in the US and in Europe.

I will also meet with Nobel Prize winner Professor Joseph Stiglitz to discuss economic and public policy, before attending a number forums and meetings with investors and other financial market participants focussing on the stability and strength of the Australian financial system.

On Friday, I will deliver the keynote address at the G'day USA's Australian Outlook Lunch as part of the tenth annual 'Australia Week' - a series of events to showcase Australia to the United States.

These events reinforce very clearly to our American friends just what Australia has to offer - with our strong financial system, low unemployment, 21 consecutive years of growth and economic resilience, it is a great story to tell.