Monthly Archives: February 2013

Did Qld’s sluggish economy force NZers and Brits back home?

Posted on February 28, 2013 by Gene Tunny

The controversy over the ABS’s odd comments on female representation in leadership positions (Women don’t have what it takes to lead, finds ABS) led me to examine its latest Social Trends report, which contains this interesting set of facts on international … Continue reading →

Posted in Migration | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Qld health reforms much needed – some regional health services look very costly

Posted on February 27, 2013 by Gene Tunny

The Blueprint for Better Healthcare in Queensland contains some very interesting data toward the back that show we have substantial disparities in the average costs of delivery across the Queensland health system. Mackay and North West health services look particularly … Continue reading →

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SEQ’s extensive but costly public transport system requires thorough review

Posted on February 25, 2013 by Gene Tunny

I’m pleased the State Government is reviewing public transport fares, as reported earlier today in Quest Newspapers: The State Government has made a commitment to address public transport fares in order to establish a new fare structure for southeast Queensland. … Continue reading →

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West End Aldi could be frontline in battle for retail trading hours deregulation

Posted on February 21, 2013 by Gene Tunny

The push for trading hours deregulation will receive extra impetus from Aldi, which hopes to set up a 24/7 store at West End in Brisbane (see the Brisbane Times report from the other day, Aldi looks to expand into West End). … Continue reading →

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RBA confirms QRC analysis – resources sector spends mega bucks domestically

Posted on February 21, 2013 by Gene Tunny

The RBA has released an excellent though technically demanding research paper on Industry Dimensions of the Resources Boom, which has received coverage in today’s Australian (Mining spreads work to 500,000). The RBA analysis confirms the analysis conducted by Reuben Lawrence … Continue reading →

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Price sensitivity of demand for fine dining in Brisbane CBD – ARIA case study

Posted on February 20, 2013 by Gene Tunny

Matt Moran’s ARIA Restaurant at Brisbane’s Eagle St Pier is proving that you can sometimes increase revenue by cutting your prices – that is, if demand increases proportionately more than the price proportionately falls. ARIA is simply outstanding. It’s one … Continue reading →

Posted in Retail trade | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

HIA still worried about Qld housing industry

Posted on February 19, 2013 by Gene Tunny

Building approvals are a reasonably good leading indicator of economic activity across the economy because the construction industry employs nearly 10% of the workforce (see this OESR table) and it buys a lot of products from other parts of the … Continue reading →

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Billion dollar Jobs Plan assumes local businesses aren’t getting fair share of work from big projects

Posted on February 17, 2013 by Gene Tunny

The Commonwealth Government’s $1 billion Jobs Plan announced today (see media release) appears to be based on an assumption that Australian businesses aren’t getting a fair share of work out of major projects. I find this odd considering the massive … Continue reading →

Posted in Industry policy | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Government should resist subsidising Disney Nemo film – no long-term benefit to Qld

Posted on February 15, 2013 by Gene Tunny

The Queensland Government should refuse to contribute money to attract the filming of Disney’s 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea to the Gold Coast (see the news report Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt could film a movie in Australia). The previous … Continue reading →

Posted in Arts, Gold Coast | Tagged , , , , , | 14 Comments

Where do Queensland’s super rich live?

Posted on February 13, 2013 by Gene Tunny

Queensland’s super rich are most prevalent in the Ascot-Hamilton and Kenmore-Brookfield areas in Brisbane and up and down the Gold Coast, if registration data by postcode for super luxury cars – Rolls Royce, Bentley, Ferrari and Lamborghini – are a … Continue reading →

Posted in Brisbane, Cairns, Gold Coast, Townsville, Transport | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments