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The article discusses the limited investment opportunities for water as an asset class in Australia. Ownership of Australian water through entitlement, it says, could lead to exposure of investors to rising water prices due to the imbalance of supply and demand that it should be done through a fund manager in the asset class. It also notes the launching of the Blue Sky Water Fund expecting up to 14% of annual returns with a requirement of 50,000 Australian dollars in minimum initial investment.

The article provides an outlook for the Australian Real Estate Investment Trusts (A-REIT) including predictions for mergers and acquisitions as market conditions improve. A-REITs were not favored by financial investors during the global crisis even if it was once considered as a prized part of any investment portfolio. According to Merrill Lynch analysts, total returns from A-REITs are expected to be delivered in 2011 along with the broader equities market as banking and cyclical stocks grow.

The article comments on professional stockmarket investors' view that the upcoming reporting season in corporate Australia will be a tough one. It also cites figures that support another popular view that the stockmarket will improve by the end of 2008. It suggests that there are plenty of opportunities in the Australian stockmarket and a disciplined, conservative approach will result in excellent returns for investors.

The article reflects on the growth experienced by small property companies in Australia. Though billions of dollars are flowing in, the property sector has only increased by about 2 percent at the S&x#0026;P/ASX 200 Property Trust Index. However, smaller property stocks have provided investors with good total returns.

Reports that the domestic aviation boom is fueling interest in regional airport privatization in Australia. Interest of investors in privatization opportunities among the six airports still in government hands; Claim of regional aviation experts that the development of airports owned by local councils and state governments is being jeopardized by the commercial limitations of their shareholders and bureaucratic delays; Return on investment achieved by Australian Infrastructure Fund from Queensland Airports.

Comments on the decrease of Australian investments in Southeast Asia. Interest of the investors in higher returns in China; Decrease of competition in the region.

Opinion. Discusses the tendency of Australian financiers to assume that clients are interested in only in returns. Mention of multinational networks; Networks as being benign; Tension between networks and civics; Basis of a network.