Monthly Archives: September 2018

Qld economy continues to under-perform

The Queensland economy continues to under-perform relative to the NSW and Victorian economies. In my post earlier this month, I noted that the Queensland economy remains lukewarm. Economic conditions are much stronger in NSW and Victoria than in Queensland, as … Continue reading

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Which industries have created the most jobs in Qld over the last 10 years?

In the latest EconTalk episode, host Russ Roberts interviews the Australian robotics guru and MIT emeritus professor Rodney Brooks. After listening to the episode, I am now much less concerned about artificial intelligence and automation rendering a large fraction of … Continue reading

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

Are we still turning Japanese? I don’t think so – guest post by Joe Branigan

I am delighted to publish the full version of Joe Branigan’s recent article on second languages offered in Queensland schools. An edited version was published in the Courier-Mail last week, but that version omitted one of Joe’s major points and … Continue reading

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My comments on NQ exit in ABC online story

Thanks to ABC state political reporter Josh Bavas for asking my opinion on the new state of North Queensland that has been proposed from time-to-time, most recently by Katter’s Australian Party and Queensland Senator Matt Canavan, Minister for Resources and … Continue reading

Posted in Cairns, North Queensland, Townsville, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Qld regional unemployment rates facet wrap via R

Queensland is such a large and diverse state, with regional economies having vastly different drivers of growth (e.g. tourism in Cairns, mining in Mackay), that it’s often hard to get a sense of how different parts of the state are … Continue reading

Posted in Cairns, Labour market, Mackay, Migration, Mining, Townsville, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Blunt message to states from Canberra on recreational cannabis – guest post from Stephen Thornton

I am delighted to publish this guest post from my good friend and colleague Dr Stephen Thornton. Views expressed in this guest post are Stephen’s, and should not necessarily be attributed to me as well. GT Blunt message to states … Continue reading

Posted in Social policy, Tax, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Low wages growth & the drop in household saving – 612 ABC Brisbane panel discussion

Low wages growth and the drop in household saving recorded in the June quarter National Accounts were considered in a panel discussion I participated in on Emma Griffiths’s 612 ABC Brisbane Focus program yesterday morning, which you can listen to … Continue reading

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Has there been a “huge slump” in the Qld economy?

The Courier-Mail today is reporting a “huge slump” in the Queensland economy after yesterday’s ABS National Accounts figures revealed state final demand grew only 0.1 percent in the June quarter, the second lowest rate among states and territories. The paper … Continue reading

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Economists and the media

This Thursday lunchtime, I’ll be chairing an ESA (Qld) seminar on economists and the media, featuring former ABC finance reporter Rebecca Archer, Director of Connect Media Training, and Griffith Economics Professor Fabrizio Carmignani, a frequent media commentator and contributor to … Continue reading

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