Monthly Archives: March 2015

Grattan book City Limits highlights problems with current planning and transport policies

Posted on March 31, 2015 by Gene Tunny

Jane Frances-Kelly and Paul Donegan, formerly and currently of the Grattan Institute respectively, had an excellent book published earlier this month called City Limits, which argues strongly for cutting red tape from town planning processes, introducing congestion charging for roads, … Continue reading →

Posted in Housing, Tax, Transport | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Feedback between interstate migration and employment growth

Posted on March 29, 2015 by Gene Tunny

Queensland has, in recent years, experienced relatively low employment growth and low net interstate migration (see chart above). In previous posts (e.g. Victoria continues to lure Queenslanders), I have noted how fewer employment opportunities in Queensland may have reduced the … Continue reading →

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Victoria continues to lure Queenslanders

Posted on March 28, 2015 by Gene Tunny

Yesterday I wrote about how net interstate migration to Queensland remains low, and today I’ve had a closer look at the new ABS data, breaking down Queensland’s net gain of 5,942 people over the 12 months to 30 September 2014 … Continue reading →

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Net interstate migration to Qld remains at low levels

Posted on March 27, 2015 by Gene Tunny

Yesterday, the ABS reported (see the media release): Queensland no longer outstripping nation Queensland’s population growth has slowed to its lowest rate in 15 years, according to figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) today. “The sunshine state’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Population | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

ABC radio interview on the fiscal challenges facing the new Qld Government

Posted on March 26, 2015 by Gene Tunny

Chatting with Steve Austin about the fiscal challenges facing the new Government in the Legislative Council Chamber at Queensland Parliament House, Brisbane (Photo: Terri Begley) On the first day of Queensland’s new Parliament, Steve Austin from 612 ABC Brisbane radio … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Government should throw out Queensland Plan – it was a poor guide to future policy

Posted on March 24, 2015 by Gene Tunny

I noticed that Mike Kaiser, labelled by the Courier-Mail as a “Queensland Labor stalwart,” has urged the new Queensland Government to retain the Queensland Plan that was developed by the previous Government. I disagree with Mr Kaiser that the Queensland … Continue reading →

Posted in Population | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

PwC Budget breakfast tickets on sale – business sees need for budget repair, even if politicians don’t

Posted on March 24, 2015 by Gene Tunny

Former PM John Howard, who will speak at PwC’s Federal Budget Breakfast in Brisbane on 13 May On the morning after the night the Federal Budget is delivered, the most desirable tickets in Brisbane are to PwC’s Budget Breakfast, which … Continue reading →

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Addressing youth unemployment requires reform of workplace relations policies

Posted on March 23, 2015 by Gene Tunny

Youth unemployment has re-emerged as a significant problem in recent years (see chart above), partly as a result of the general economic sluggishness since the financial crisis. Also, Australia’s inflexible workplace relations regulations are likely playing a role, and youth … Continue reading →

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Cafe culture prevents employment slump

Posted on March 20, 2015 by Gene Tunny

I recall Alan Kohler observing a while ago that everyone is eating out for breakfast on the weekends nowadays. It’s a good thing that people are, from an employment perspective, given that employment growth in cafes, restaurants and hotels has … Continue reading →

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Qld Government will find it a big challenge to achieve its fiscal strategy

Posted on March 19, 2015 by Gene Tunny

Queensland Treasurer Curtis Pitt has rightly labelled the upcoming 2015-16 Budget as “no frills” (see ABC news report). The Government cannot afford any frivolous expenses, because the budget challenge it faces is massive. The major problems the Government has are: … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments