Australian

Australian PM Rudd in a further dash to a co-ordinated [G20 SUMMIT] approach, has disclosed that negotiations over the level of a fiscal stimulus needed to prevent a global depression will not take place at this week's summit, but at the following G20 meeting. Speaking over BBC, Mr Rudd commented that it was "never the intention" to announce a new fiscal stimulus; and has subsequently raised fears that the summit may well end up focusing on more easily achievable goals, such as tax havens, rather than ensuring a commitment to specific goals on spending and protectionism. Mr Rudd's comments follow a copy of a draft communique leaked in Der Spiegel over the weekend, which suggested the UK wanted the joint statement to herald a Usd 2 trln fiscal stimulus.