Monthly Archives: May 2021

Growing concerns that stimulus and money printing are fuelling inflation

Posted on May 29, 2021 by Gene Tunny

Setting off an inflationary spiral is one of the big risks with the mega-stimulus measures and Quantitative Easing or money printing we’ve seen in the responses of governments and central banks to the pandemic. This month, we’ve seen some higher-than-expected … Continue reading →

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Mining CAPEX has been growing in WA, falling in Qld

Posted on May 28, 2021 by Gene Tunny

Mining sector capital investment has been increasing in WA but falling in Queensland, according to March quarter capital expenditure data published by the ABS yesterday (see chart above). This would reflect a combination of the following factors: the stronger demand … Continue reading →

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Surge in new houses and reno’s offset by slump in non-residential construction in Qld

Posted on May 27, 2021 by Gene Tunny

The ABS’s preliminary estimates of construction activity for March quarter are discouraging for Queensland, with an overall fall of 1.7% since December quarter in seasonally adjusted terms (see chart below). In contrast, construction work done increased by 2.4% nationwide. NSW … Continue reading →

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Evolutionary Economics with Brendan Markey-Towler

Posted on May 24, 2021 by Gene Tunny

Harvard Economics Professor Joseph Schumpeter (1883-1950) was arguably the most perceptive and prophetic economist of all time. Schumpeter wrote about the importance of the entrepreneur for innovation and so-called “creative destruction” in capitalism, but he also recognised the inexorable tendency … Continue reading →

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Role of Qld Parliament in public finance – upcoming ASPG event on 14 June 21

Posted on May 17, 2021 by Gene Tunny

Thanks to the Queensland chapter of the Australasian Study of Parliament Group (ASPG) for inviting me to be a panel member at its upcoming event The role of Parliament in public finance on 14 June at Parliament House, Brisbane. My … Continue reading →

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Interview with 4BC’s Scott Emerson on the federal budget

Posted on May 12, 2021 by Gene Tunny

This afternoon, on his 4BC Drive program, former Queensland Government Transport Minister Scott Emerson and I shared our astonishment regarding the Morrison Government’s Go for Growth, Keynesian federal budget which Treasurer Josh Frydenberg handed down last night. You can listen … Continue reading →

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Qld and WA leading Australia in business conditions, based on NAB Survey

Posted on May 11, 2021 by Gene Tunny

It’s federal budget day and, at this stage, I’m due to appear on Steve Austin’s 612 ABC Brisbane Drive program after 6pm to talk about how the federal budget is developed, so please tune in if you’re interested. Tonight we’ll … Continue reading →

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Decarbonising the Economy – my latest podcast episode

Posted on May 10, 2021 by Gene Tunny

The latest episode of my Economics Explored podcast is on the topic of decarbonising the economy. My monologue is based on a talk I gave last Tuesday to the First Tuesday Club forum hosted by the Brisbane Dialogues group at … Continue reading →

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People fleeing Victoria, staying put in Qld

Posted on May 5, 2021 by Gene Tunny

Back in the middle of last decade I often commented on how Queensland was experiencing a brain drain of talented people to Victoria, with vibrant and cosmopolitan Melbourne attracting our best and brightest. That is no longer the case, and … Continue reading →

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Solving school enrolment and on-street parking problems with economics

Posted on May 3, 2021 by Gene Tunny

As an economist, it’s frustrating to see the same issues recur because our decision makers fail to recognise and adopt the straightforward solutions suggested by economics, solutions which take advantage of the so-called price mechanism or market forces.  First, consider … Continue reading →

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