Monthly Archives: August 2012

Building approvals data difficult to interpret

Posted on August 31, 2012 by Gene Tunny

While I feel the Queensland building industry will recover later this year, it’s difficult to be confident there is any significant improvement in building approvals, which are a reasonably good forward indicator of activity: While growth in the ABS trend … Continue reading →

Posted in Housing | Leave a comment

Encouraging construction industry data for Qld

Posted on August 29, 2012 by Gene Tunny

The ABS preliminary construction work done data released today were encouraging, with a continuation of growth in construction work done, largely associated with the resources boom: Data on housing construction in States other than Queensland were less encouraging as noted … Continue reading →

Posted in Housing | Leave a comment

Toowong-West End bridge should be next on the agenda

Posted on August 29, 2012 by Gene Tunny

I’m pleased to see the Government is allowing 12-storey high-rise developments in Brisbane’s West End (New ending in tale of West End’s 12 storeys), because I’ve long believed Brisbane needs to increase its population density if it is to meet … Continue reading →

Posted in Brisbane | 1 Comment

Swan: Australia has investment pipeline of 1/2 trillion dollars

Posted on August 24, 2012 by Gene Tunny

In a press conference today Treasurer Wayne Swan (correctly) made it clear the resources boom isn’t over: Can I just make a couple of points about the Olympic Dam project. Australia has an investment pipeline in resources of half a … Continue reading →

Posted in Mining | Leave a comment

RBA Governor has serious questions to answer

Posted on August 21, 2012 by Gene Tunny

Based on the story just broadcast on the 7.30 Report, the RBA Governor may have been less than fully frank with Parliament and may have failed to report alleged criminal activity to the Federal Police. The ABC website first reported … Continue reading →

Posted in Macroeconomy | Leave a comment

QRC warns of coal mining slump as it campaigns against royalties increase

Posted on August 21, 2012 by Gene Tunny

The Queensland Resources Council’s handy Queensland Economy website shows that the coal industry generates around $2 billion in royalties for the Queensland Government, so any decline in the coal industry would have serious budgetary implications. Hence I expect the Government … Continue reading →

Posted in Mining | Leave a comment

Consumer sentiment decline most likely only temporary

Posted on August 20, 2012 by Gene Tunny

There is a good post at Macro Business by blogger Delusional Economics on Westpac’s consumer sentiment index, which has fallen sharply in Queensland: Sentiment nosedives in Queensland I expect consumer sentiment will rebound when next month’s budget reveals public service … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget, Labour market, Macroeconomy | Leave a comment

Moving Labour Day to October a good decision

Posted on August 20, 2012 by Gene Tunny

Given the disruption to workplace productivity caused by having Labour Day so soon after ANZAC Day, I’m pleased the Government has decided to move Labour Day, rather than the Queen’s Birthday holiday, to October: Labour Day to be pushed to … Continue reading →

Posted in IR | Leave a comment

Garnaut to deliver this year’s Colin Clark lecture

Posted on August 17, 2012 by Gene Tunny

In my first public service job, on my way to my desk on the sixth floor of the Neville Bonner Building in Brisbane I’d walk past a photo portrait of Colin Clark, a former head of the Queensland Employment, Training … Continue reading →

Posted in Climate change | Leave a comment

Commonwealth public service shrinking, too

Posted on August 16, 2012 by Gene Tunny

In a speech in Brisbane today, Treasury Secretary Dr Martin Parkinson made some astute comments on the growing imbalance between the demands the public places on government and the public’s willingness to pay for government services: What will be required … Continue reading →

Posted in Labour market | Leave a comment