Australia to have recession in 2009 - IMF

The IMF proves itself to be one of the slow kids by only now forecasting a recession in fiscal 2009. The forecast was from 1.8% down to -0.2%, a 2% cut from low but noticeable growth to contraction. One has to wonder what events caused this change since November, or if nothing, what value is present in a forecast that consistently is altered in the downward direction as the date approaches, after half of the period you were forecasting has already elapsed.