Monthly Archives: November 2012

Large decline in rate of homelessness in Qld over last decade

Posted on November 12, 2012 by Gene Tunny

I have no idea whether this is due to good luck or good management, but ABS Census data released today show Queensland’s rate of homelessness has fallen over the last decade to be comparable with rates in NSW and Victoria:

Posted in Housing | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

White gold and white meat

Posted on November 12, 2012 by Gene Tunny

Cotton can be a very profitable crop for farmers and is often referred to as white gold. Hence it was good to see the report in the Toowoomba Chronicle today that Darling Downs gins smash cotton record: Queensland Cotton regional … Continue reading →

Posted in Agriculture | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Temporary weakness due to public sector restraint continues

Posted on November 8, 2012 by Gene Tunny

Today’s ABS labour force data weren’t encouraging for Queensland, with the unemployment rate remaining significantly higher than the national average, as shown in this chart from OESR’s labour force brief: I remain of the view that Queensland’s higher unemployment rate … Continue reading →

Posted in Labour market | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Eclipse tourism boost for Far North Qld

Posted on November 7, 2012 by Gene Tunny

From Tourism Queensland’s news room (60,000 to make eclipse pilgrimage to Queensland’s Tropical North): Tropical North Queensland is preparing to welcome an estimated 60,000 people to witness the region’s first total solar eclipse in more than 1,300 years. Minister for … Continue reading →

Posted in Cairns, Tourism | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Better late than never for TAFE rationalisation

Posted on November 7, 2012 by Gene Tunny

It’s long been recognised by observers of our education system that Queensland TAFEs are under-utilised and that many of them are sitting on valuable land that would fetch a high price from developers. Hence I’m glad to see the Brisbane … Continue reading →

Posted in Education | 1 Comment

Melbourne Cup day rate cut undesirable and unlikely

Posted on November 4, 2012 by Gene Tunny

Jessica Irvine makes an impassioned case for a Melbourne Cup day rate cut from the RBA (Giddy up Reserve Bank and give us an interest rate cut), but I don’t think the RBA Board will provide one. Data in recent … Continue reading →

Posted in Macroeconomy | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

OBPR recommends fast-tracked review of trading hours restrictions

Posted on November 1, 2012 by Gene Tunny

The Queensland Government’s new Office of Best Practice Regulation – Queensland’s mini Productivity Commission – released its interim report on Reducing the Burden of Regulation today, and I was very pleased to see it has recommended fast-tracking a review of … Continue reading →

Posted in Retail trade | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Ipswich to lead building industry recovery

Posted on November 1, 2012 by Gene Tunny

There is more encouraging news for the building industry today, with a report that Queensland’s biggest housing development, at Ripley Valley 5km south-west of Ipswich CBD, has commenced, as reported in the Queensland Times: AFTER more than five years of … Continue reading →

Posted in Housing, Ipswich | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment