Monthly Archives: March 2020

Gov’t faces huge funding challenge as it puts economy on life support

Posted on March 31, 2020 by Gene Tunny

The federal government’s latest rescue measure, the JobKeeper Payment, estimated to cost $130 billion, may well be justifiable, given social distancing measures have shut down large parts of the economy for an indeterminate period, and I recognise the need to … Continue reading →

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

Businesses in “survival mode” says CCIQ Chief Economist Dr Marcus Smith

Posted on March 27, 2020 by Gene Tunny

THis afternoon, I caught up via Zoom with CCIQ Chief Economist Dr Marcus Smith to discuss the extraordinary coronavirus-related developments since we last spoke on Sunday. As Marcus notes early in our conversation, which you can listen to below, things … Continue reading →

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COVID-19 response with Nicholas Gruen – latest Economics Explained episode

Posted on March 26, 2020 by Gene Tunny

Despite all the draconian measures already imposed by Australian governments, ABC health expert Dr Norman Swan thinks we still need to do more. Just after I woke up this morning, I heard him on ABC Breakfast suggesting an even wider … Continue reading →

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

Just announced shutdowns mean hundreds of thousands now out of work (hopefully only temporarily)

Posted on March 22, 2020 by Gene Tunny

While we knew something like this was coming, it was still awful when it did come. To contain the spread of coronavirus, from midday tomorrow (Monday), pubs, bars, clubs, and gyms will be forced to shut, and restaurants and cafes … Continue reading →

Posted in Macroeconomy, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

New COVID-19 chat with Joe Branigan of Tulipwood Economics

Posted on March 22, 2020 by Gene Tunny

I’ve recorded another interview on the latest COVID-19 rescue package from the federal government, this time with my good friend and former Treasury colleague Joe Branigan, Director of Tulipwood Economics. Joe provides important context for the massive rescue package. He … Continue reading →

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COVID-19 rescue package chat with CCIQ Chief Economist Marcus Smith

Posted on March 22, 2020 by Gene Tunny

In both its scale and scope, the COVID-19 rescue package announced by the Prime Minister and Treasurer this morning is stunning. I spoke with CCIQ Chief Economist Marcus Smith earlier this afternoon regarding what he thinks about the package, and … Continue reading →

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COVID-19, machine trading & financial markets with Michael Knox – Economics Explained EP27

Posted on March 19, 2020 by Gene Tunny

Why are financial markets swinging so wildly in response to the novel coronavirus, COVID-19? Yesterday I spoke with Michael Knox, Chief Economist of Morgans, who thinks it’s related to the machine trading programs which dominate financial markets. Today, I’ve published … Continue reading →

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COVID-19 update – UBI and “un-Australian” grocery stockpiling

Posted on March 18, 2020 by Gene Tunny

US progressive pundits such as Ana Kasparian and Kim Iversen are stunned the Trump administration is considering a temporary Universal Basic Income (UBI) as a response to the COVID-19 crisis (e.g. check out Ana REACTS to Trump giving Universal Basic … Continue reading →

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

COVID-19 & UBI chat on ABC Brisbane radio with Katherine Feeney

Posted on March 17, 2020 by Gene Tunny

I had an interesting conversation this afternoon with 612 ABC Brisbane’s Katherine Feeney about coronavirus and whether Universal Basic Income (UBI) might help people get through coronavirus-induced financial difficulties (from 1.55:20): 612 ABC Brisbane Afternoons with Katherine Feeney, 17 March … Continue reading →

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COVID-19 conversation with Joe Branigan of Tulipwood Economics

Posted on March 16, 2020 by Gene Tunny

In the last few hours, I’ve recorded a discussion with my good friend and former Australian Treasury colleague Joe Branigan, Director of Tulipwood Economics, on the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. We chatted about the potential economic impact of coronavirus, which is … Continue reading →

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