Monthly Archives: June 2019

Brisbane Club presentation on Qld economy & latest Value of the Census post at the Mandarin

Last Friday, I presented my thoughts on the economic outlook and the recent Queensland state budget at the Brisbane Club. I highlighted the positives (e.g. resource exports, international education) and negatives (e.g. low business confidence and subdued business investment across … Continue reading

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Qld Gov’t CAPEX – Brisbane’s inner city the big winner

Brisbane inner city workers and residents should start expecting some heavy construction activity around them soon as Cross River Rail capital expenditures are expected to amount to around $1.48 billion in 2019-20, according to the Capital Statement in the Queensland … Continue reading

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Valuing the Australian Census – cross-posted at Club Troppo

One of the exciting projects I’m working on is a valuation of the Australian Census for the ABS with my Lateral Economics’ colleagues Nicholas Gruen and Matt Balmford. Our first project-related post is below. Here’s an introductory message from Nicholas: … Continue reading

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Qld Budget interviews with ABC’s Steve Austin & 4BC’s Ross Greenwood

While chatting with 612 ABC Brisbane’s Steve Austin and fellow interviewee Nick Behrens this afternoon, I almost chuckled when Steve asked me whether this Queensland state budget, in which total debt is projected to head toward $90 billion by 2022-23, … Continue reading

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Qld’s exports to China doubled in less than 2½ years

There was some excellent commentary on the US’s and Australia’s relationships with China on ABC Radio National over the weekend which I can highly recommend: FT’s Martin Wolf interview: Is the US wrong on the trade war? on Saturday Extra … Continue reading

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International education boom – new ABS estimates

My office is in the Johnson Hotel, in the middle of the international education precinct around Boundary St, Spring Hill, so I’m very conscious of the international education boom we are experiencing. Even so, I was stunned by newly released … Continue reading

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

Good & bad news on Qld economy – avoids worst effects of property bust, but remains reliant on gov’t spending

Queensland state and local general government capital expenditures increased 13% in March quarter, rising to $2.79 billion, helping Queensland to record 0.5% growth in State Final Demand, the second highest growth rate in Australia (second to Tasmania with 0.7%). Part … Continue reading

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

Pro Bono Econos UQ reading list

Last Friday, I was a panelist at a Pro Bono Econos UQ event on consulting. In my remarks, I mentioned a bunch of resources I thought would be helpful for students, and subsequently several of the students who attended have … Continue reading

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