Monthly Archives: March 2021

Six houses, alike in dignity… not much else – guest post by Brendan Markey-Towler

Posted on March 31, 2021 by Gene Tunny

This guest post by my good friend and fellow Queensland economist Dr Brendan Markey-Towler makes some excellent points regarding Queensland’s economic recovery from the COVID-recession – e.g. consumption spending has been goosed up by government benefits and, apart from in … Continue reading →

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Another costly unnecessary lockdown for Brisbane

Posted on March 29, 2021 by Gene Tunny

It’s obvious now we were lulled into a false sense of security several weeks ago by Queensland CHO Jeannette Young when she said future lockdowns were unlikely. Our CHO has panicked once again, caused the Premier a sleepless night, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Macroeconomy | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

The Olympics: economic boon or burden? My latest podcast episode

Posted on March 25, 2021 by Gene Tunny

InQld reported on Tuesday: A rare closed doors meeting of Brisbane City Council last night voted to support the city’s bid for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games after spending eight hours poring over details of how to satisfy the … Continue reading →

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Unpacking the retail goods spending spree in 2020

Posted on March 21, 2021 by Gene Tunny

Today’s Sunday Mail includes a good article by Jane Armitstead on The best-selling lockdown products we had to have: When the global pandemic hit, Queenslanders turned their focus to their homes and gardens with a boom in DIY projects. Homewares … Continue reading →

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Big test ahead for economy & will we regret all the lockdowns?

Posted on March 20, 2021 by Gene Tunny

The latest retail trade figures from the ABS illustrate the challenge the Australian economy faces over the next few months with JobKeeper and the JobSeeker Coronavirus Supplement ending soon. Household disposable incomes have been boosted by all the generous assistance … Continue reading →

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Qld state finances chat with ABC’s Steve Austin & QEAS’s Nick Behrens

Posted on March 19, 2021 by Gene Tunny

Fellow Queensland economist Nick Behrens and I sat down with 612 ABC Brisbane’s Steve Austin to chat about the latest report from the Auditor-General on Queensland’s state finances. Of course, COVID is the big story since March last year, but, … Continue reading →

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Cairns economy post-JobKeeper – conversation with Pete Faulkner of Conus

Posted on March 13, 2021 by Gene Tunny

Queenslanders are waiting anxiously for the state government’s COVID media conference this morning, to learn what’s happening with the infection of the doctor at the PA Hospital. Let’s hope our authorities take into account the fact the vaccine is being … Continue reading →

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Anarcho-capitalism and a Libertarian analysis of COVID with Prof. Walter Block – my latest podcast episode

Posted on March 11, 2021 by Gene Tunny

My latest Economics Explored podcast episode contains an introduction to the concept of anarcho-capitalism and a libertarian analysis of the COVID-19 pandemic with Professor Walter Block, Harold E. Wirth Eminent Scholar Endowed Chair in Economics at Loyola University and senior … Continue reading →

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QPC paper shows state gov’t not doing enough to cut red tape (or prevent its application in the first place)

Posted on March 9, 2021 by Gene Tunny

Last September, Queensland Treasurer Cameron Dick announced the Queensland Productivity Commission would be rolled into state Treasury, but that doesn’t appear to have happened yet, and before it does the QPC is doing its best to subtly critique the state … Continue reading →

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Role of Treasury in economic policy conversation with Paul Tilley – latest Economics Explored episode

Posted on March 6, 2021 by Gene Tunny

When I spoke with Scott Emerson on his 4BC Drive program last Thursday, I mentioned the federal Treasury would be currently working on options to extend JobKeeper in some form to tourism-dependent businesses. The Treasury has been prominent in developing … Continue reading →

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