Monthly Archives: August 2011

Far North labour market steadily improving, Wide Bay-Burnett getting worse

Posted on August 18, 2011 by Gene Tunny

Here’s a chart of the 12 month moving averages of unemployment rates in the Queensland regions that are most under pressure due to the high exchange rate: This is based on today’s detailed labour force data release from the ABS.

Posted in Cairns, Labour market, Wide Bay-Burnett | Leave a comment

$430bn investment pipeline

Posted on August 17, 2011 by Gene Tunny

The scale of the resources boom is staggering, as noted in Deputy PM-Treasurer Wayne Swan’s speech to federal parliament yesterday: We have an unprecedented investment pipeline that is continuing to build, with a staggering $430 billion planned in resource investment … Continue reading →

Posted in Macroeconomy, Mining | 1 Comment

Donga contract provides jobs for Toowoomba builders

Posted on August 16, 2011 by Gene Tunny

Coal seam gas (CGS) extraction, which the Government’s announcement yesterday should only have a marginal/negligible impact on (Mining buffer ‘doesn’t go far enough’) will be one of the big drivers of Queensland’s economic growth in the next few years. And … Continue reading →

Posted in Mining | Leave a comment

Public service entitlement culture

Posted on August 14, 2011 by Gene Tunny

As a former public servant for both State and Commonwealth Governments, I remember it was acceptable practice in some agencies to take a “mental health day” off in response to a variety of circumstances, including breaking up with your boyfriend/girlfriend, … Continue reading →

Posted in IR | Leave a comment

Qld Treasury still expects jobs rebound

Posted on August 13, 2011 by Gene Tunny

While the weak labour force data released on Thursday were a bit of a surprise, I remain confident the Queensland economy will pick up considerably over the next year, and I broadly agree with Queensland Treasury’s assessment here (Labour Force: … Continue reading →

Posted in Labour market, Macroeconomy | Leave a comment

Why has Ipswich Council become a property developer?

Posted on August 13, 2011 by Gene Tunny

Ipswich ratepayers should ask their Council some hard questions about Council’s involvement in a joint venture to re-develop the Ipswich CBD through the Council-owned Ipswich City Properties (Ipswich’s retail revolution): Mayor Paul Pisasale said the shopping centre precinct, like the … Continue reading →

Posted in Ipswich, Queensland Government | Leave a comment

Forget about that fancy book learning

Posted on August 10, 2011 by Gene Tunny

Virgin Australia CEO John Borghetti gave a great talk at Brisbane’s Customs House today to UQ business, economics and law alumni on the company’s recent re-branding, which is aimed at capturing a large chunk of the high margin business and government travel … Continue reading →

Posted in Education | 2 Comments

Brisbane’s identity – centre of the 200km City

Posted on August 9, 2011 by Gene Tunny

With the emergence of Springfield and the growth of the western corridor, and the large commuter flows from the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast every day, it doesn’t make much sense to talk about Brisbane’s identity – or an economic … Continue reading →

Posted in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Ipswich | Leave a comment

No reason to panic yet

Posted on August 8, 2011 by Gene Tunny

Our sharemarket has over-reacted to news of the US downgrade and continuing fears about European sovereign debt (Sharemarket closes almost 3pc down). As pointed out by financial economist Chris Joye, Australia’s economy is now largely tied to China and India … Continue reading →

Posted in Housing, Macroeconomy, Mining | Leave a comment

Krugman slams S&P over US downgrade

Posted on August 6, 2011 by Gene Tunny

Rating agencies such as S&P and Fitch, which issued a bizarre negative outlook for Queensland not long ago, really have no idea about macroeconomics or public finance. Nobel prize winning economist Paul Krugman has a brilliant piece slamming S&P over … Continue reading →

Posted in Macroeconomy | 1 Comment