Monthly Archives: March 2011

9.1 million Queenslanders in 2056 – over 1 million more than expected

Posted on March 16, 2011 by Gene Tunny

The Queensland Government yesterday released revised population projections which project a Queensland population of 9.14 million in 2056, compared with a previous projection (from 2008) of 7.98 million in 2056. If fertility, migration, or longevity turn out to be at … Continue reading →

Posted in Migration, Population | Leave a comment

Talking about GoMA

Posted on March 15, 2011 by Gene Tunny

Brisbane’s impressive Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA) was built at a cost of around $290M – i.e. over $60 for every Queenslander – so it is important to consider its role in our community and who it is targeted at. Given … Continue reading →

Posted in Arts | Leave a comment

Risks to Queensland economy from tragedy in Japan

Posted on March 14, 2011 by Gene Tunny

With the terrible disaster in Japan still unfolding, it is too early to forecast the impacts on the Queensland and broader Australian economies (See e.g. Impact is ‘unknowable’). The Queensland economy is clearly vulnerable, however, as Japan is our largest trading … Continue reading →

Posted in Macroeconomy, Mining | Leave a comment

Don’t be surprised if your removalist chats about Proust

Posted on March 10, 2011 by Gene Tunny

In another sign there is a large over-supply of university graduates in Australia, the commuters’ afternoon newspaper, mX, reports today: University graduates struggling to find jobs in their field are knocking down the doors at blue-collar workplaces. The February jobs … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Macroeconomy | Leave a comment

Mineral exploration growing nicely, but carbon tax may have spooked consumers

Posted on March 9, 2011 by Gene Tunny

There’s little doubt the mining sector will underpin Australia’s economic growth and prosperity over the coming years, and hence it’s good to see mineral exploration rose 2.5% in December quarter 2010, and is getting back up near pre-GFC levels (as … Continue reading →

Posted in Climate change, Environment, Mining | Leave a comment

Just what are the aliens supposed to be looking for in Maryborough?

Posted on March 8, 2011 by Gene Tunny

Maryborough residents concerned about UFOs should ask what possible motive would aliens have for visiting the town – is the Fraser Coast attracting intergalactic retirees? Perhaps due to a dearth of real local news, the Fraser Coast Chronicle is obsessed … Continue reading →

Posted in Wide Bay-Burnett | 1 Comment

My School identifies heavily subsidised regional schools

Posted on March 6, 2011 by Gene Tunny

My School identifies the poorly attended and, hence, high cost per student schools that, arguably, are being over-subsidised by taxpayers, such as the Irvinebank State School on the Tablelands in Far North Queensland, which received over $70,000 for each of … Continue reading →

Posted in Education | Leave a comment

Government can’t sell Medibank Private because it may not actually own it

Posted on March 4, 2011 by Gene Tunny

Independent MP Rob Oakeshott has called for the Commonwealth Government to sell Medibank Private, which was last proposed by the Howard Government in 2006, and which could raise around $4 billion: Oakeshott calls for Medibank Private sale Unfortunately it isn’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget, Health | Leave a comment

Despite growth numbers, we should be positive about economy

Posted on March 3, 2011 by Gene Tunny

Yesterday’s National Accounts data confirmed Queensland’s economy was sluggish in 2010, as reported in this morning’s Courier-Mail (Queensland’s slowing economy further affected by Summer disasters): QUEENSLAND was the nation’s slowest growing state last year, even before the worst of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Agriculture, Macroeconomy, Mining | Leave a comment

Business Council supports a moderately big Australia

Posted on March 1, 2011 by Gene Tunny

The Business Council of Australia has made a useful contribution to the national population debate through supporting the Treasury-projected population of 36 million in 2050 as “a moderate and sensible guide to what is likely to be needed to meet … Continue reading →

Posted in Migration, Population | Leave a comment