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 →

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