Monthly Archives: October 2017

Comments on Qld state debt to the Courier-Mail

Posted on October 31, 2017 by Gene Tunny

I am quoted in today’s Courier-Mail in an article on Queensland state debt, which for the whole Queensland Government (incl. government-owned businesses) is on its way to over $80 billion (see chart below). The paper reports on the Premier’s failure … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

Senator Canavan’s ambitious plan for a State of North Queensland

Posted on October 25, 2017 by Gene Tunny

Senator Matt Canavan, a friend of mine from my Canberra days, is not wasting any time while he is temporarily out of the Cabinet. He is making plans for a new State of North Queensland. With his background as a … Continue reading →

Posted in North Queensland, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

Qld Government wants electricity GOC dividends to do double duty

Posted on October 23, 2017 by Gene Tunny

Yesterday’s media release from the Queensland Premier and Energy Minister on the $2 billion Affordable Energy Plan appears to have been prepared without Queensland Treasury input, as it is very loose in its discussion of the budget impact. The media … Continue reading →

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Qld Budget data visualisation from Truii

Posted on October 21, 2017 by Gene Tunny

Brisbane-based data visualisation company Truii has produced an impressive data visualisation of the 2015-16 Queensland Budget: Queensland Government finance data 2015-16 The data visualisation uses open data from the Queensland Government, including a comprehensive data set on contracts and grants. … Continue reading →

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Nostalgia for the car industry won’t bring it back: domestic market too small, labour costs too high

Posted on October 20, 2017 by Gene Tunny

It is the last day of car manufacturing in Australia today, with the final Holden cars to be manufactured at the soon to be shut Elizabeth plant in SA, as reported in the Courier-Mail. It is awful that thousands of … Continue reading →

Posted in Industry policy, Labour market, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 8 Comments

Qld unemployment rate falls below 6% to 5.9% (in trend terms)

Posted on October 19, 2017 by Gene Tunny

This is just a quick post to update you on the September labour force estimates released by the ABS today: the Queensland unemployment rate has fallen to below 6% in trend terms and is now at 5.9% (see chart below). … Continue reading →

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

Technological disruption & NQ business – JCU Townsville event on Thursday 26 October

Posted on October 17, 2017 by Gene Tunny

On Thursday next week, I will travel up to Townsville to speak at a Business Professionals Networking Event at James Cook University, along with other professional association representatives, on the topic: The impact of technological disruption and how it will … Continue reading →

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Gutsy submission from Joe Branigan to regional decentralisation inquiry questioning inquiry’s rationale

Posted on October 16, 2017 by Gene Tunny

The Australian Parliament is currently undertaking an inquiry into regional development and decentralisation, but the inquiry’s rationale has been brought into question by a brilliant submission from SMART Infrastructure Facility Senior Research Fellow (and occasional QEW contributor) Joe Branigan titled: … Continue reading →

Posted in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Labour market, Productivity, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Review of South Brisbane candidate Cameron Murray’s Game of Mates in CIS Policy magazine

Posted on October 10, 2017 by Gene Tunny

Well known UQ economist Cameron Murray yesterday announced his candidacy for the Queensland State seat of South Brisbane, currently held by our formidable Deputy Premier Jackie Trad, who was already under threat from a strong challenge by the Greens’ Amy … Continue reading →

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

AGL Chief Economist to address ESA Qld on National Electricity Market

Posted on October 7, 2017 by Gene Tunny

As you are no doubt aware, one of the big economic challenges facing Australia at the moment is the high cost of energy. An important aspect of the debate around the cost of energy is the future of the National … Continue reading →

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