MEDIA RELEASE No: 2006-12 Date: 15 November 2006 Embargo: For Immediate Release

2006 G-20 MEETING OF FINANCE MINISTERS AND CENTRAL BANK GOVERNORS

On 18–19 November, Australia will host the 2006 G-20 Meeting of Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors in Melbourne.  Governor Glenn Stevens said today:

‘It is a pleasure to join with Treasurer Costello in welcoming G-20 colleagues to Australia.  I look forward to the opportunity for an informal and candid exchange of views and experiences among the G-20 countries.’

The G-20 brings together finance ministers and central bank governors from systemically important countries from all regions of the world.  Since it was established in 1999, it has been one of the key international fora for discussing issues of significance to the international economy and financial system.

This year, issues to be discussed include: the outlook for the global economy; developments in resource markets and ways to improve their efficiency; the impact of demographic change on global financial markets; and further reform of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

For more information about the G-20, please refer to the G-20 public website (www.g20.org).