Monthly Archives: October 2015

What I’m reading – Bernanke’s Courage to Act

Posted on October 31, 2015 by

One of my favourite passages in Ben Bernanke’s memoir of the financial crisis and its aftermath, The Courage to Act, describes how, on the way to the Federal Reserve building to deal with the imploding Bear Stearns, Bernanke takes the … Continue reading →

Posted in Macroeconomy | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Transparency needed around luring film productions such as Thor: Ragnarok to Qld

Posted on October 25, 2015 by

In its final report on government industry assistance (i.e. corporate welfare) released in August, the Queensland Competition Authority recommended an end to the lack of transparency that still, alas, characterises Queensland Government industry attraction measures. This lack of transparency was … Continue reading →

Posted in Industry policy | Tagged , , , , , | 13 Comments

Qld regions have been struggling and not just the mining ones

Posted on October 22, 2015 by

Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill’s alleged lack of success in bringing new infrastructure projects to the city may become a major issue in the mayoral election in March next year, based on a report in today’s Townsville Bulletin. The Mayor may … Continue reading →

Posted in Labour market, Macroeconomy | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Australia’s boldest experiment and the first age of the econocrat

Posted on October 19, 2015 by

In the early 1990s, there was an article in the Weekend Australian on “The age of the econocrat,” which described the huge influence that economists in Canberra had on policy making at the time. It was an article which partly … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Australian Perspective: 2016 and beyond – keynote presentation to CPA Congress, Brisbane

Posted on October 15, 2015 by

I was delighted to give the opening keynote presentation at the Brisbane CPA Congress at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre this morning. My presentation slides (which I’ve slightly modified with additional headings and source information) are available to download: … Continue reading →

Posted in China, Housing, Macroeconomy | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Residential property a “bright spot” in Qld economy

Posted on October 13, 2015 by

The Queensland Treasurer Curtis Pitt correctly noted yesterday that “The property sector is a real bright spot in the Queensland economy and it’s making a positive contribution to jobs and growth.” This is confirmed by data and casual observation. Regarding … Continue reading →

Posted in Housing, Macroeconomy | Tagged , , , , , | 8 Comments

Upcoming presentation by HSBC’s Paul Bloxham on Australia’s next growth driver, the services sector

Posted on October 10, 2015 by

With such significant uncertainty regarding the economic outlook, as the Australian economy is re-balancing at the end of the mining boom, there is much speculation regarding the future drivers of economic growth and jobs. Hence I am delighted that HSBC’s … Continue reading →

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

Energy GOCs equity raid a good example of problem with public ownership

Posted on October 8, 2015 by

I was quoted in the Courier-Mail this morning regarding the $3.5 billion the Queensland Government has withdrawn from equity in its power businesses (see chart above) for the purposes of paying down debt (see Earnings grab quick debt fix, Pitt … Continue reading →

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

Courier-Mail opinion piece on daylight saving

Posted on October 6, 2015 by

I have an opinion piece on daylight saving published in today’s Courier-Mail, arguing it is time for a new trial of summer time in Queensland, at least for South-East Queensland, as the economic costs (including the opportunity cost of lost … Continue reading →

Posted in Brisbane, North Queensland, Queensland Government | Tagged , , | 12 Comments

Can Do, the Campbell Newman biography by Gavin King

Posted on October 4, 2015 by

Former Cairns MP Gavin King’s just published Campbell Newman biography Can Do (which includes two quotes from me on p. 220 and 267) makes an important contribution to the economic reform debate in Australia. After telling the story of Campbell … Continue reading →

Posted in Queensland Government | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments