Monthly Archives: May 2012

Still waiting for a recovery in building approvals

Posted on May 31, 2012 by Gene Tunny

Today’s new building approvals data from the ABS were disappointing, as the recovery in building approvals I thought was occurring a few months ago has not eventuated, and building approvals remain flat at a relatively low level: It appears OESR … Continue reading →

Posted in Housing, Macroeconomy | Leave a comment

To get cheaper electricity, charge a lot more during peak periods

Posted on May 31, 2012 by Gene Tunny

While the Newman Government’s review into electricity prices announced yesterday is welcome, I suspect any savings it will identify through reduced duplication will be minor compared with the savings that are possible through discouraging electricity use during peak times through … Continue reading →

Posted in Energy | Leave a comment

Qld & WA the winners in the two-speed economy

Posted on May 31, 2012 by Gene Tunny

Adam Creighton and David Uren have a nice summary of the latest data on the two-speed economy in the Australian this morning (Retail in reverse as resources power on): THE divide between the over-heated, resource-rich sectors of the economy and … Continue reading →

Posted in Macroeconomy, Mining, Retail trade | 1 Comment

Parliamentary precinct revival is a great idea

Posted on May 29, 2012 by Gene Tunny

It is unnecessary for the Queensland Government to be a major owner of CBD property, as it can lease space as necessary, and it is possible that the Government has located public servants in CBD offices who may be more … Continue reading →

Posted in Brisbane | Leave a comment

$75 billion of mining & energy projects in Qld at advanced stages of development

Posted on May 28, 2012 by Gene Tunny

The Treasurer’s Economic Note yesterday alerted me to the Bureau of Resources and Energy Economics’ latest issue of Mining Industry Major Projects, released last Thursday.  The large investment in the development of LNG plants is noticeable in the billions of … Continue reading →

Posted in Mining | Leave a comment

Bad news for renters, but drop in vacancy rates is good news for building industry

Posted on May 25, 2012 by Gene Tunny

A friend of mine recently complained about how hard it is to find a suitable flat at the moment in inner city Brisbane, and data on residential vacancies released today by OESR back up this complaint. In inner Brisbane, the … Continue reading →

Posted in Gold Coast, Housing, Macroeconomy | Leave a comment

AOFM looks on the bright side of a large debt – “deep liquidity”

Posted on May 23, 2012 by Gene Tunny

Some clever chap at the Australian Office of Financial Management (AOFM) probably had a secret chuckle when the following advertising campaign was approved, which I noticed today but which may have been around for a while: By deep liquidity, the … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget | 1 Comment

Good news from the OECD on Australia’s economic outlook

Posted on May 22, 2012 by Gene Tunny

There is good news from the OECD via Acting PM Wayne Swan tonight (OECD Economic Outlook 91): The OECD Economic Outlook released tonight confirms that the Australian economy will significantly outperform OECD economies as a whole over this year and … Continue reading →

Posted in Brisbane, Macroeconomy | Leave a comment

Boom and bust in international student numbers in Qld

Posted on May 21, 2012 by Gene Tunny

I suspect the large drop in international students in Queensland (and across Australia) due partly to the high Australian dollar is a concern to universities, TAFEs and private providers, such as the Sarina Russo Group, which have made a lot … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Migration | Leave a comment

Potential savings for Newman Govt through cutting ineffective VET funding (e.g. for hairdressing)

Posted on May 21, 2012 by Gene Tunny

In a recent conference paper published today by NCVER, Australia’s leading expert on vocational education and training (VET) Tom Karmel summarises recent research on the wage premium due to completing an apprenticeship or traineeship as follows (p. 11): This research … Continue reading →

Posted in VET | Leave a comment