Annual Report 2008-2009

Date

Preface

This report compiles information on Australia's dealings with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank for the period 1 July 2008 to 30 June 2009.1

The 2008-09 report is in three sections:

  • Section 1 reviews the crisis response undertaken by the two international financial institutions (IFIs) during 2008-09.
  • Section 2 reports on Australia's relations with the IMF as required under the International Monetary Agreements Act 1947. This section covers Australia's representation at the IMF, its June 2009 Article IV consultation, participation in IMF Institute courses, meetings and visits, and Australia's financial transactions with the Fund.
  • Section 3 reports on Australia's interactions with the World Bank as required under the International Monetary Agreements Act 1947 and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (General Capital Increase) Act 1989. This section covers the World Bank's mandate and institutions, Australia's shareholdings and contributions, Australian representation and activities of the Bank during 2008-09.

Other sources of information

Treasury releases information on its activities through many publications, press releases, speeches and reports, including the Treasury Annual Report. Copies of Treasury publications are available on the Treasury website.

The IFIs also make a wide range of information available on their websites, International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, including information on their responses to the global economic crisis and communiqués from recent IMF and World Bank Spring and Annual Meetings.2

Inquiries

The contact officer to whom inquiries regarding this report may be directed is:

The General Manager
International Finance and Development Division
The Treasury
Langton Crescent
PARKES ACT 2600

Telephone: 02 6263 3757
Facsimile: 02 6263 3390

1 Australia is a member of each of the IMF, World Bank, Asian Development Bank (ADB) and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). Information on each institution is provided in the Treasury Annual Report and is also available from the institutions themselves through their annual reports. There is no legislative requirement to provide an Annual Report to the Parliament on the ADB or the EBRD.

2 Communiqués are available on the IMF’s website