Monthly Archives: September 2019

QPAC/QTIX to trial Uber-style surge pricing to boost revenue

Posted on September 28, 2019 by Gene Tunny

While trawling through the dozens of documents tabled online by the state government yesterday, I noticed the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) is investigating airline/Uber-style dynamic or “surge” pricing to boost revenue and presumably to make it less dependent on … Continue reading →

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Lowest confidence in six years – not a happy Friday in Qld

Posted on September 27, 2019 by Gene Tunny

Earlier this year I encountered some resistance at various presentations I gave on the gloomy outlook for the Queensland economy, but I suspect I wouldn’t get much push back now. Today, the Courier-Mail is reporting on its latest YouGov poll results: CONFIDENCE … Continue reading →

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Qld Gov’t public service bonus demonstrates ongoing relevance of Beautiful One Day, Broke the Next

Posted on September 23, 2019 by Gene Tunny

The Queensland Government’s $1,250 bonus for public servants, estimated to cost $250 million in total, is being poorly received outside of the public service. Many people consider that public servants are already well remunerated and that the state government still … Continue reading →

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Let’s have Brisbane Festival retail trading hours all year round

Posted on September 21, 2019 by Gene Tunny

Accustomed as I am to Queensland’s over-regulated economy, I was surprised the other week when shopping at the Spring Hill Woolworths to find out it has extended trading hours during the current Brisbane Festival season, which culminates in the River … Continue reading →

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Economics of infrastructure interview with Craig Lawrence of Lytton Advisory

Posted on September 16, 2019 by Gene Tunny

I spend much of my spare time listening to podcasts, including EconTalk, Planet Money, and the Tim Ferriss Show among others, and I’ve often thought it’s about time I start my own podcast. Over the last month or so, I’ve … Continue reading →

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Retail apocalypse maybe, but no apocalypse in health & education

Posted on September 16, 2019 by Gene Tunny

The so-called Retail Apocalypse is prompting a lot of people to think about how shopping malls and high streets can adjust to the shift toward e-commerce and away from bricks-and-mortar stores. The global head of property for AMP Capital Carmel … Continue reading →

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Does Qld need a few large firefighting planes? Guest post by Stephen Thornton

Posted on September 14, 2019 by Gene Tunny

Thanks to my good friend and colleague Dr Stephen Thornton for his latest guest post. Views expressed are Stephen’s and should not necessarily be attributed to me. GT Does Queensland need a few large firefighting planes? The terrible bushfires in … Continue reading →

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Destination Gold Coast CEO right the GC’s been missing out

Posted on September 12, 2019 by Gene Tunny

I’m usually sceptical of pleas from regional leaders for greater government investment in their regions, but I think the Destination Gold Coast CEO has a legitimate grievance. The Gold Coast Bulletin reports: THE Gold Coast’s tourism boss has blasted the … Continue reading →

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Worried Master Builders Qld calls for new Building the Education Revolution

Posted on September 11, 2019 by Gene Tunny

Paul Bidwell, Deputy CEO of Master Builders Queensland, has made some extraordinary comments to the Courier-Mail, calling for the federal government to stimulate the construction industry through a new Building the Education Revolution, which was a Rudd Government stimulus measure. … Continue reading →

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Retail Therapy – recommended reading

Posted on September 11, 2019 by Gene Tunny

I’ve recently discovered that what Nespresso does at its Queen St Mall Boutique, where it offers free cups of coffee to customers in a cafe-style setting, is “Brand Theatre”. I figured this out after reading Retail Therapy, a recently published … Continue reading →

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