SYDNEY (AFP) 锟?Boom in Asia and bust in the United States are buffeting Australia's economy Joe Haden Game Jersey , Prime Minister Kevin Rudd warned Monday as he outlined plans to rein in inflation.
In his first major speech on the economy since his Labor party swept John Howard's conservatives out of office in November, Rudd pledged to slash government spending to produce a huge budget surplus.
The target would be a surplus of 1.5 percent of gross domestic product in the financial year to June 2009, he said -- about 18 billion dollars (15.8 billion US dollars).
At the same time Jon Bostic Game Jersey , the government has vowed to honour election pledges for 31 billion dollars in tax cuts.
Rudd told business leaders at a breakfast meeting in Perth that Australia faced "conflicting economic currents."
These were: "A global economy (led by the United States) which appears to be slowing. An ongoing terms of trade boom driven by Asia Pacific economies. And significant domestic inflationary pressures at home."
Accusing the outgoing government of having allowed these pressures to build, Rudd said his five-point plan included incentives to encourage private savings while tackling skills shortages and infrastructure bottlenecks.
Rudd, who described himself as a fiscal conservative during the election campaign Bud Dupree Game Jersey , said producing the budget surplus -- up from the 1.0 percent target of the previous government -- would require discipline.
"That will require a determined, disciplined approach to spending and a hardline-approach to savings," adding that his "razor gang" would cut wasteful spending.
Inflation is expected to exceed the Reserve Bank of Australia's target range of 2-3 percent this year Javon Hargrave Game Jersey , raising the prospect of further interest rate rises by the central bank.
Rates are at an 11-year high of 6.75 percent after two 25 basis point increases last year, and the effect on mortgage-belt voters is believed to have played a part in the ouster of the previous government.
Rudd noted that the downturn in the economic outlook in the US, Europe and Japan comes as strong growth in the Asia-Pacific region is continuing to drive demand for Australia's rich mineral and energy resources.
"Over coming years Sean Davis Game Jersey , developments in China will increasingly shape both global and Australian economic conditions," he said.
"The Indian economy has become one of our fastest growing export markets and is expected to continue to post impressive rates of economic growth.
"Combined, China and India accounted for around 40 percent of Australia's export value growth in 2006-07."
This economic expansion in the region had heightened the need for careful management of the domestic economy Artie Burns Game Jersey , he said.
"And the most pressing economic challenge domestically is inflation."
The Environmental Benefits Of Sash Window Restoration May Make You Reconsider New Windows March 31, 2013 | Author: Nathan Colwell | Posted in Education
A lot of people who own homes are very surprised by the environmental benefits of sash window restoration. Taking steps to preserve original sash windows is definitely worthwhile. It is an irony that although many new types of windows are promoted as having environmental benefits, the most eco-friendly option is to restore the home’s authentic window features.
After all Chukwuma Okorafor Game Jersey , producing and installing a new window has an environmental consequence. Recent trends involve getting rid of old sash windows and replacing them with PVC. This leads to the production of more petroleum products. A superior decision for the environment is to restore the original sashes.
Choosing brand new wooden windows also has an environmental effect. To cope with deforestation, the best approach is to conserve and reuse old wood rather than producing more wood products. This pays off in more than one way. Old wooden window frames are often much stronger and of better quality than cheaply produced newer versions.
The term ‘environment’ doesn’t just mean natural settings. It also applies to your neighborhood. Windows that look good can enrich the appearance of your town or neighborhood environment. A successful window restoration is often far more visually appealing than a replacement. Original features compliment the age and style of an older house, whereas modern windows can look out of place.
Every home renovation project involves some disruption. However Terrell Edmunds Game Jersey , window restoration is usually less disruptive than removing windows and installing new ones. Window installation can sometimes damage surrounding plaster and walls. This can be expensive to repair. Environmentally speaking, an installation means a greater consumption of energy and materials.
Sash windows provide simple but effective temperature regulation. Sashes that open on the bottom and top can help to lower the temperature of your living space in the hot summer months. They allow the hot air to flow outwards through the upper sash. At the same time, cooler air flows inward through the bottom sash. Sash windows are a more environmentally friendly option than similar cooling systems such as fans or air conditioning. If you are interested in improving thermal efficiency James Conner Game Jersey , you can add sealing or glazing to sash windows during the restoration process.