Monthly Archives: September 2011

CEDA’s sovereign wealth fund call assumes budget surplus we don’t have

Posted on September 30, 2011 by Gene Tunny

Given that Australia hasn’t run a budget surplus since 2007-08, and it appears likely the current Treasurer Wayne Swan won’t ever deliver one (Swan resolute as budget bleeds its forecast surplus), CEDA’s call for a sovereign wealth fund is pointless … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget | Leave a comment

Rents growing again (modestly) after post-GFC stability

Posted on September 29, 2011 by Gene Tunny

The 2010-11 Annual Report of the Residential Tenancies Authority, released earlier this week, includes a wealth of interesting data relating to Queensland’s rental sector. While we know rents in some parts of Queensland (e.g. Gladstone) are soaring due to the … Continue reading →

Posted in Housing, Macroeconomy, Mining | Leave a comment

Inefficient State taxes

Posted on September 28, 2011 by Gene Tunny

In its position statement for the upcoming Tax Forum (available here) the AI Group has called for an abolition of inefficient State Government taxes such as stamp duty and a hike in the GST to pay for it.  The position … Continue reading →

Posted in Tax | 3 Comments

NBN must have a big carbon footprint

Posted on September 27, 2011 by Gene Tunny

A report on the National Broadband Network (NBN) trial in Ipswich’s eastern suburbs (NBN revolution dawns) suggests the rollout of the NBN will be more difficult than expected. And it appears the network demands a lot of electricity, which means … Continue reading →

Posted in Infrastructure, Ipswich | Leave a comment

5,000 FIFO/DIDO workers forecast for Surat Basin

Posted on September 25, 2011 by Gene Tunny

OESR released its latest Surat Basin Population report on Friday, and it shows a big expected jump in fly in-fly out (FIFO) and drive in-drive out (DIDO) workers in the region in 2012 (see figure below). OESR notes: The projected … Continue reading →

Posted in Mining, Population | Leave a comment

Procrastinating on international climate change action

Posted on September 22, 2011 by Gene Tunny

Someone in the Federal Government ought to read Brian Tracey’s Eat that Frog! The latest development in our international efforts on climate change strikes me as a massive case of procrastination. As reported this morning (Joint emissions plan to UN): AUSTRALIA … Continue reading →

Posted in Climate change | Leave a comment

No sign of global economic turmoil in Gladstone

Posted on September 21, 2011 by Gene Tunny

Visiting Gladstone today I was struck by the magnitude of the impacts of the resources boom on the city, including rows and rows of dongas lined up at the port ready for transport to Curtis Island and the unavailability of … Continue reading →

Posted in Gladstone, Mining | Leave a comment

Why is Qld’s live music industry larger than Victoria’s?

Posted on September 20, 2011 by Gene Tunny

Queensland’s live music industry is the second largest in Australia, as reported in the Brisbane Times today (Queensland’s music economy rocking): Victoria may enjoy a reputation as a mecca for gigging musicians, but a new national industry report indicates live, … Continue reading →

Posted in Arts | 2 Comments

Dr Doom’s depression remedy

Posted on September 20, 2011 by Gene Tunny

NYU Professor Nouriel Roubini’s latest article in Slate (How to prevent a Depression) is worth a read. While I think the so-called Dr Doom is much too pessimistic about the global economy, he’s absolutely right about this: …we must accept … Continue reading →

Posted in Macroeconomy | Leave a comment

Treasurer’s “secret mine deal” shows real leadership

Posted on September 20, 2011 by Gene Tunny

Treasurer Andrew Fraser has done the right thing in working around the Government’s proposed strategic cropping land (SCL) policy. As reported in today’s Rockhampton Morning Bulletin’s lead story, Treasurer’s secret mine deal: QUEENSLAND Treasurer Andrew Fraser has struck a secret … Continue reading →

Posted in Agriculture, Mining | Leave a comment