KEY POINTS:
A new report shows a 20 per cent rise in the value of investment projects in Australia for the past year to almost A$180 billion.
The latest Access Economics data shows that the value of Australia's investment projects is continuing to rise, despite the pressure of interest rates and a high Australian dollar.
Access Economics Director Chris Richardson says the strong global economy is driving investment, particularly in mining projects.
"We already have a mature investment boom in Australia, we already have investment, as a share of national income, higher than we've ever seen before.
"And yet to top that we're getting big projects getting the tick at the moment. Or in other words, what was already a boom is becoming a bigger boom.
"The outlook in China and India too has been strengthening," he added.
"Commodity prices are still good and there are expectations that many of them will continue to rise. Because of that more and more mining projects are getting the tick.
"Businesses have a very optimistic outlook of where the Australian economy's headed and they're putting their money where their mouth is."
Meanwhile, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) is set to raise interest rates tomorrow for the second time this year, in a move that will almost certainly see rates return to the centre of the election campaign.
It will be the first time rates have been hiked in the middle of a federal election and is likely to test the political resolve of Coalition Prime Minister John Howard.
MINING YOUR OWN BUSINESS
Some of the major mining projects in Australia:
The Super Pit goldmine, Kalgoorlie, WA
Kimberley's Ellendale Diamond Mine, WA
Burton Coal Mine, Queensland
Cannington Silver and Lead Mine, Queensland
Crinum Coal Mine, Queensland
Dawson Complex Queensland
Ernest Henry Copper-Gold Mine, Queensland
George Fisher Lead, Zinc and Silver Mine, Queensland
Hamersley Basin Iron Ore Mine
Australian Zircon, Mindarie, South Australia
Kagara Zinc, Mungana, North Queensland
Kanowna Belle Gold Mine, Kalgoorlie, WA
McArthur River Mine, Northern Territory
Mount Isa Copper Mine, Queensland
Mount Isa Lead, Zinc and Silver Mine, Queensland
Mount Owen Coal Mine, NSW
Murrin Murrin Nickel and Cobalt Mine, Leonora
Pajingo gold mine, Queensland
Olympic Dam Copper-Uranium Mine, Adelaide, SA
Osborne Copper-Gold Mine, Queensland.
- RADIO AUSTRALIA, AAP
