Monthly Archives: April 2016

Fast-tracking of Uber review is great news – Gov’t has adopted one of my Jobs Growth Summit recommendations

I am very pleased the Queensland Government has brought forward the reporting date of its review into taxi and ride-sharing services, as announced by the Premier yesterday (see Brisbane Times coverage). This followed my call for a fast-tracked review in … Continue reading

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

After Jobs Growth Summit, business groups need to lobby hard for better policies

At today’s Queensland Jobs Growth Summit at Parliament House in Brisbane, I did my best to argue for good economic policy. After Deputy Premier Jackie Trad’s speech, I asked her whether the Government would consider fast-tracking the review of taxi … Continue reading

Posted in IR, Labour market, Macroeconomy, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Guest post from Joe Branigan: A quick refresher course in how to create jobs

I am delighted to publish this guest post from my friend and former Treasury colleague Joe Branigan, who is also attending today’s Jobs Growth Summit at Parliament House, Brisbane (see my previous post Jobs Growth Summit a great opportunity to … Continue reading

Posted in Infrastructure, IR, Labour market, Macroeconomy, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Tuesday’s Jobs Growth Summit a great opportunity to push for better economic policies

On Tuesday, I will be attending the Queensland Jobs Growth Summit at Parliament House, which is being hosted by UQ’s School of Economics (my occasional employer) and the Australia Institute. My business Adept Economics is one of several Summit sponsors. … Continue reading

Posted in IR, Labour market, Macroeconomy, Queensland Government, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Robust SEQ economy distracts us from weakness in regions, particularly in Townsville

Townsville-based economist Colin Dwyer is getting very worried about his region’s economy, noting in an email to his mailing list today that: “Economic conditions have deteriorated in North Australia’s largest city.  The unemployment rate is the worst it’s been for … Continue reading

Posted in Labour market, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Post-Budget lunch featuring Michael Knox, Morgans’ Chief Economist

Queensland has already received some good news regarding the upcoming 2016-17 Federal Budget, with the announcement two weeks’ ago that our share of GST revenue will be over $500 million higher in 2016-17 than we previously expected (see my post … Continue reading

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The long game of regulatory reform: One step forward for WA, two steps back for Qld

Guest post from Rod Bogaards The humble spud is not normally front and centre of economic debate. But news that Western Australians will finally be able to freely grow, market and buy potatoes provides an interesting case study of how … Continue reading

Posted in Agriculture, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Long-run benefits of privatisation are undeniable

Last Friday, in an opinion piece in the Courier-Mail (see image above) that was consistent with its current “Go Queensland” campaign, I re-entered the debate on privatisation: Privatisation, legalising Uber and deregulating trading hours are first steps towards boosting the … Continue reading

Posted in Energy, Infrastructure, Productivity, Queensland Government, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Qld unemployment rate appears stuck around 6%, while national rate falls

Queensland’s under-performing economy was illustrated by March labour force data released by the ABS today. The State’s unemployment rate appears stuck around 6%, while the national unemployment rate continues its steady decline, with the seasonally adjusted national rate falling from … Continue reading

Posted in Labour market, Macroeconomy, Mining, North Queensland, Townsville, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Go Qld is a terrific initiative from the Courier-Mail

Regular readers will know I have been concerned about Queensland’s economic and population trends for some time now, so obviously I welcome the Courier-Mail’s #GoQld campaign which it has launched today, with the paper asking: “What ideas and projects do … Continue reading

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