Jackson's doctor released from jail

THE former doctor convicted of causing Michael Jackson's death has been released from jail.

Jail records confirmed Conrad Murray's release on Monday and the sheriff's office said he left a downtown Los Angeles jail at 12.01am (1800 AEDT).

The former cardiologist served less than two years in jail after being convicted in 2011 of involuntary manslaughter for Jackson's June 2009 death.

The pop superstar died after receiving a lethal dose of the anaesthetic propofol, which Murray was giving Jackson as a sleep aid.

Murray's medical licences remain suspended or revoked in three states where he previously practised medicine.

Murray had been sentenced to serve four years behind bars, but a change in California law allowed his incarceration time to be significantly cut down.

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Investment outlook rests with govt

HOPES are fading that non-mining sections of the economy will be taking up the slack of a waning resources investment boom any time soon.

So an independent forecaster believes government infrastructure spending must be encouraged.

In its latest Investment Monitor, Deloitte Access Economics says for the first time in a decade the total value of investment projects at all stages of construction has now declined for three consecutive quarters.

"It is clear that the investment in the resources sector which has underpinned growth for the best part of a decade is fading," Deloitte Access Economics partner Stephen Smith said releasing the report on Tuesday.

"However, the composition of growth in the medium term - and in particular what the key driver of growth will be - remains less clear."

He said despite record low interest rates, retail spending continues to be soft with few signs of a revival, while non-residential building activity "remains on shaky ground".

The value of non-residential work commenced over the past year is at the lowest since the immediate aftermath of the 2008-2009 global financial crisis, when the then Labor government rolled out the school building program in an effort to lift activity.

Mr Smith said public infrastructure spending can play an important part during an uncertain period of economic transition.

Tony Abbott has labelled himself as the 'infrastructure prime minister' and Treasurer Joe Hockey is pushing the funding of projects to the top of the government's agenda.

"In a phase in which business investment spending is looking increasingly shaky and support to economic activity is required, a more active public sector role in financing and supporting infrastructure projects should be welcomed," he said.

The forecaster's investment database showed the total value of projects decreased by $3.4 billion or 0.4 per cent in the September quarter to $873.7 billion, taking it 5.7 per cent lower than a year ago.

The value of definite projects - under construction or committed - slipped in value by 0.7 per cent to $464.7 billion, although this was a modest 0.6 per cent higher than a year earlier.

But while the value of planned projects - under consideration or possible - at $409 billion was little changed from the June quarter, this was 12 per cent down from September 2012.

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NSW trucks deregistered for tunnel delays

THREE trucks have had their registration suspended after becoming stuck in Sydney tunnels and causing lengthy traffic delays.

Their drivers are the first to be hit by state laws introduced in July.

Roads Minister Duncan Gay said one over-height truck drove into the Eastern Distributor last Friday.

It caused damage to the sprinkler system and more than two hours of delays on the busy road.

Mr Gay said the truck was deregistered for three months and the driver was being penalised for failing to stop.

Another two trucks have had their registrations suspended for 28 days after they closed the Sydney Harbour Tunnel for 20 minutes in separate incidents this month.

Mr Gay said there were $2200 fines and demerit points for truck drivers with over-height loads, but the message was not getting through.

"New laws were introduced in July this year which allow us to hit operators where it hurts and suspend a vehicle's registration for up to three months if it's driven into a tunnel when over-height," he said in a statement.

Mr Gay said the drivers who affected the harbour tunnel "ignored countless signs and warning devices" and had to be reversed out of the tunnel.

In yet another instance, a West Australian operator had his visiting rights in NSW revoked for three months for closing the Sydney Harbour Tunnel for 20 minutes last week.

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Cyprus president expects positive review

CYPRUS' president says he expects international creditors' latest review to approve the country's handling of its bailout program.

Cyprus in March got a 10 billion euro ($A14.5 billion) loan to save it from bankruptcy, but in return it had to commit to a series of reforms and measures.

Among those, uninsured depositors in the country's two biggest banks were forced to take major losses on their savings.

The second-largest bank, Laiki, was shut down and authorities imposed capital controls to prevent a run.

Nicos Anastasiades said on Monday that a second assessment by the country's eurozone partners and the International Monetary Fund will be "equally significant and positive" as their initial one over the summer.

EU and IMF officials are due to begin their review on Tuesday.

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