Monthly Archives: February 2015

Property law review should be picked up by new Qld Government – pets & smoking are contentious issues

Posted on February 15, 2015 by Gene Tunny

It appears that just before the recent election campaign the previous Queensland Government launched a review of property law with a focus on body corporate matters, including the regulation of pets and smoking in apartment buildings. I trust that the … Continue reading →

Posted in Queensland Government | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Don’t panic about unemployment just yet – still below long-run average

Posted on February 13, 2015 by Gene Tunny

I’ve noticed the Courier-Mail is reporting the incoming Government has “been handed a massive headache with new figures showing unemployment rising and Queenslanders dropping out of the job market.” However, yesterday’s figures simply confirmed the labour market has been lacklustre … Continue reading →

Posted in Labour market | Tagged , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Low employment growth over the term of the outgoing Qld Government

Posted on February 12, 2015 by Gene Tunny

As an economist, I’m naturally a big believer in the importance of economic factors in society. And I thought one (though not the only) reason for the big swing against the Newman Government was Queensland’s lacklustre economy, which was largely … Continue reading →

Posted in Labour market | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

No tears for BaT tunnel – it most likely didn’t stack up

Posted on February 10, 2015 by Gene Tunny

Whichever party forms government in Queensland, the Bus and Train (BaT) tunnel project is no more, as reported by the Brisbane Times (BaT tunnel plans scrapped). I was always skeptical about the economic case for the project, and was very … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget, Transport | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Has Queensland kicked the can down the road? – guest post from Keiran Travers

Posted on February 10, 2015 by Gene Tunny

The still undecided Queensland election has given many of us reason to think about the future of our State, and I’m delighted to publish a guest post from Keiran Travers, a Brisbane-based infrastructure expert, who wonders whether Queensland has kicked … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

What are investors to make of depression economics?

Posted on February 9, 2015 by Gene Tunny

After the RBA Board cut the cash rate target to 2.25% last Tuesday I mentioned to a friend that the best guide to the world economy since 2008 has been Paul Krugman’s brilliant little book The Return of Depression Economics. … Continue reading →

Posted in Macroeconomy | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

December sales provided some relief, but Qld retailers saw very low growth in sales over 2014

Posted on February 6, 2015 by Gene Tunny

In seeking re-election, the Queensland Government was disadvantaged by the lacklustre economy, which was evident in many sectors, including retail. Estimates of retail turnover published yesterday by the ABS confirm that, while there was a December boost to sales (see … Continue reading →

Posted in Retail trade | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Fiscal reality will drive the next reform agenda – guest post from Joe Branigan

Posted on February 4, 2015 by Gene Tunny

I’m delighted to present a guest post from my old friend and former Treasury colleague Joe Branigan. It goes without saying that the views presented below are Joe’s and not necessarily mine. That said, I agree broadly with Joe regarding … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Is any Opposition truly ready to govern?

Posted on February 4, 2015 by Gene Tunny

I’m surprised by former Treasurer Keith De Lacy’s comments on the Opposition’s readiness to govern reported by the Brisbane Times this morning (Labor had ‘secret’ plan to govern).  It seems a little unfair given I doubt any Opposition in Australian … Continue reading →

Posted in Queensland Government | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

Big year for Econ Society in Qld – the Governor returns & national conference in July

Posted on February 3, 2015 by Gene Tunny

The Reserve Bank of Australia is making a return to the spotlight with the RBA expected by many market players to cut the cash rate today or at its March meeting, to stimulate an economy needing a boost in investment … Continue reading →

Posted in Macroeconomy | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment