Monthly Archives: October 2016

Guest post – Where is NSW getting the money to fund its massive infrastructure spending?

Posted on October 31, 2016 by

I am delighted to publish another guest post from my friend and fellow economist Dr Alistair Robson. Views expressed in this article are Alistair’s, and should not necessarily be attributed to me. Where is NSW getting the money to fund … Continue reading →

Posted in Infrastructure, Transport, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Better Living through Economics – upcoming presentation at UQ

Posted on October 26, 2016 by

Economists have made immense contributions to people’s wellbeing over the last fifty years. An Australian example that comes to mind is the instrumental role economists played in advocating for and designing microeconomic reforms, including tariff reductions, privatisations and the deregulation … Continue reading →

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

Inquiry should consider contestability and privatisation of QR services

Posted on October 25, 2016 by

One of the alleged benefits of public provision of services is that levels of service and reliability are higher than for private provision, but the crisis engulfing Queensland Rail at the moment suggests we should question that purported benefit. It … Continue reading →

Posted in Queensland Rail, Transport, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

ABC Regional Drive interview – dubious jobs data another sign ABS is struggling under a tight budget

Posted on October 21, 2016 by

In its September labour force report, which reported the Australian unemployment rate fell to 5.6% from 5.7% while employment fell by 9,800 (and full-time employment fell 53,000!), contrary to the jobs growth the market was expecting, the ABS more or … Continue reading →

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

SUV sales over-taking passenger vehicle sales in Qld

Posted on October 19, 2016 by

As SUVs have become the new family car, and many millennials are living in inner cities and relying on public transport, walking or cycling, SUVs have steadily increased their share of new motor vehicle sales, and now SUV sales exceed … Continue reading →

Posted in Macroeconomy, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

The future of the professions

Posted on October 17, 2016 by

Speaking with accountants at CPA Australia conferences earlier in the year, I was struck by the widely-shared anxiety that accountants have about the future of their profession. Australian accountants are concerned about a variety of trends that threaten them with … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Corporate whistleblowers need better protection

Posted on October 12, 2016 by

At the QUT Business Leaders’ Forum lunch at the Sofitel in Brisbane on Monday, NAB CEO Andrew Thorburn was subjected to a tough line of questioning from the forum moderator, veteran ABC journalist Kerry O’Brien. Thorburn generally performed well, although … Continue reading →

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

St Lucia property owners capturing value from Ironside State School

Posted on October 11, 2016 by

A story in the Courier-Mail this morning regarding Ironside State School in St Lucia, Brisbane reinforces Independent Schools Queensland head David Robertson’s argument for reforming school funding arrangements (see QEW post), as it appears parents are very willing to pay … Continue reading →

Posted in Brisbane, Education, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Excellent proposal for school funding reform from ISQ head David Robertson

Posted on October 5, 2016 by

In today’s Courier-Mail, the head of Independent Schools Queensland has come out in support of reforming school funding arrangements, either through a levy on wealthy parents whose children attend state schools or a means-tested voucher scheme. ISQ head David Robertson … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Recommended reading: Empire of Things

Posted on October 3, 2016 by

In 2015-16, Australian households consumed $929 billion of goods and services. Consumption is central to our economy. In the Great Depression, John Maynard Keynes exhorted Britain’s “patriotic housewives” to spend money at the sales, lest they put a man out … Continue reading →

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