Monthly Archives: January 2017

Valley the victim of retail trends

Posted on January 31, 2017 by Gene Tunny

A report in last Thursday’s Courier-Mail highlighted the decline of Fortitude Valley as a retail hub: ‘Boarded-up shops and “for lease” signs are regular sights in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley as retailers abandon the once-bustling area… …Chairman of the CBD’s Economic … Continue reading →

Posted in Retail trade, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The economics of President Trump – upcoming ESA Qld event

Posted on January 25, 2017 by Gene Tunny

As Secretary of the Economic Society of Australia (QLD) I am pleased to announce our upcoming event on “The economics of President Trump”, on the evening of Wednesday 22 February at the Ship Inn, in its upstairs function room, at … Continue reading →

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

CommSec highlights importance of residential construction to Qld economy

Posted on January 23, 2017 by Gene Tunny

The latest State of the States report from CommSec highlights the current importance of residential construction to the health of the Queensland economy. As reported by John McCarthy in today’s Courier-Mail: QUEENSLAND’S economy is starting to emerge from the mining … Continue reading →

Posted in Housing, Macroeconomy, Mining, Tourism, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Disappointing 2016 for Qld labour market

Posted on January 20, 2017 by Gene Tunny

Yesterday, on the same day the December jobs figures released by the ABS confirmed a disappointing 2016 for the Queensland labour market (see charts below), the Deputy Premier announced the State Government’s new regional jobs program. Coincidental or not, the … Continue reading →

Posted in Labour market, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Continuing rebound in Qld private sector job vacancies at end of 2016

Posted on January 12, 2017 by Gene Tunny

There was good news for the Queensland economy yesterday, with the ABS reporting a continuation of the rebound in private sector job vacancies in the final quarter of last year (see chart below). Private sector job vacancies have increased from … Continue reading →

Posted in Agriculture, Housing, Labour market, Macroeconomy, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Qld Treasury was right to be cautious on coal royalties windfall

Posted on January 9, 2017 by Gene Tunny

Queensland Treasury was right not to get too excited about the currently elevated coal prices and the surge in royalties when it updated its budget protections (chart below) last month.  As reported in today’s Australian, a report from the Chief … Continue reading →

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

Should the Aquaman film production on the Gold Coast get a $22M tax break?

Posted on January 7, 2017 by Gene Tunny

Last month, the Federal Treasurer and Queensland Premier argued over their respective roles in luring the Aquaman film production to the Gold Coast (see news.com.au article). In monetary terms, the Federal Government made the greatest contribution by far, with $22 … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 6 Comments

Sydney & Melbourne property prices defy rational explanation

Posted on January 5, 2017 by Gene Tunny

At the Guardian, Gareth Hutchens criticises some market economists for their forecasts of a correction in house prices in 2016, while house prices in Sydney and Melbourne actually grew at double-digit rates. Market economists Saul Eslake and Stephen Koukoulas have … Continue reading →

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

Comments in Courier-Mail on residential construction & First Home Owners’ Grant

Posted on January 4, 2017 by Gene Tunny

I am quoted extensively in John McCarthy’s Courier-Mail article this morning Brisbane house prices showing strong growth while regions are suffering (pay-walled), expressing similar views to those in my post from yesterday. In the Courier-Mail article, I sound more alarmist … Continue reading →

Posted in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Housing, Macroeconomy, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Risk to SEQ economy from likely downswing in residential construction, as market absorbs huge supply shock

Posted on January 3, 2017 by Gene Tunny

John McCarthy had a very good opinion piece in yesterday’s Courier-Mail on the “Sorry tale of the great Queensland divide”, in which he contrasted SEQ’s relatively strong economic performance with weakness in many regions, an issue which I frequently commented … Continue reading →

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