Monthly Archives: November 2020

QPC highlights NDIS rollout delay in Qld and failure of public administration

The Queensland Productivity Commission has written a pretty damning draft report (Inquiry into the NDIS market in Queensland) covering the state government’s rollout of the National Disability Insurance Scheme in Queensland, even though the Commission buries the lead and doesn’t … Continue reading

Posted in Health | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

By “significant borrowings” Treasurer Dick means $10B-15B of additional debt, at least

I raised my eyebrows when I read Queensland Treasurer Cameron Dick’s acknowledgement to the media today that there would be new “significant borrowings” in the forthcoming 2020-21 state budget (see the Courier-Mail report). Describing the additional borrowings to be revealed … Continue reading

Posted in Budget | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

EV taxes, property taxes, and the need to reset federal financial relations in Australia

It’s good news that, according to the Brisbane Times, Queensland Transport Minister Mark Bailey has ruled out a special Electric Vehicle tax (at least for now). You may recall I reported on the Australia Institute’s campaign to stop state-levied EV … Continue reading

Posted in Budget, Environment, Tax | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Transcript of Megaprojects chat with Marion Terrill of Grattan

A couple of weeks ago I spoke with Marion Terrill of the Grattan Institute regarding her new report on The Rise of Megaprojects (check out Megaprojects chat with Marion Terrill from Grattan). Marion made so many excellent points in the discussion … Continue reading

Posted in Infrastructure | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Great Reset podcast chat with Darren Brady Nelson

Twenty years ago, the World Economic Forum came under heavy criticism from the left over its promotion of globalisation. The WEF runs the uber-exclusive Davos talkfest attended by billionaires, CEOs, and rock stars, so you’d expect it to support market-friendly … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Electric Vehicle Tax – Qld shouldn’t follow Victoria and SA in imposing one

The Australia Institute ran an excellent webinar (Stop the Electric Vehicles Tax) this morning opposing the Electric Vehicle Tax announced by Victoria and SA. An EV tax may end up being imposed by other state governments, including NSW’s and Queensland’s, … Continue reading

Posted in Budget, Transport | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Thoughts on the border decision and QPC’s productivity reform livestream

First, better late than never I suppose, so I should be thankful the Queensland Government, on 1 December, will finally open up the state to Sydneysiders and let us travel to Sydney without having to endure hotel quarantine when we … Continue reading

Posted in IR, Macroeconomy, Productivity | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Coal price crash is bad news for the state budget and future capital investment

Last Friday, John McCarthy at In Queensland reported Budget impacts loom as coal prices plunge to four year lows. Yes, recent falls in the coking coal price to around $US100/t for coking coal must be causing anxiety in Queensland Treasury, … Continue reading

Posted in Budget, China | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Women and the Budget – upcoming Griffith-WEN webinar on Thursday 26 November

This Thursday, Griffith Business School and the Women in Economics Network (WEN) are holding a webinar on Women and the Budget, and I’ve agreed to act as Moderator for the webinar. Here’s the event description from the organisers: The economic … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Bold claim from Qld Treasurer: more Queenslanders working now than pre-COVID restrictions

Queensland Treasurer Cameron Dick has made a bold claim, which I disagree with, that more Queenslanders are working now than were working pre-COVID. The Treasurer’s claim is based on the October Labour Force data published by the ABS on Thursday, … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment