Monthly Archives: July 2021

Qld Treasury must be very worried about Olympics cost blowout

Posted on July 28, 2021 by Gene Tunny

The Queensland Treasurer is being criticised for not being a team player on the Olympics (e.g. in the Courier-Mail), but what he’s being criticised over is, in my view, Cameron Dick’s finest moment in the job so far. InQld has … Continue reading →

Posted in Queensland Government | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Full-employment policy in post-war Australia – Brisbane bus network example from Seven News Flashback

Posted on July 26, 2021 by Gene Tunny

Seven News Brisbane has prepared a Flashblack with an extraordinary example of full employment policy in action in Brisbane in the late sixties/early seventies, when Brisbane adopted diesel buses after the trams were retired by Clem Jones. A distinguished gentleman … Continue reading →

Posted in Brisbane, Transport | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

The Other Side interview on federal debt and lockdowns

Posted on July 24, 2021 by Gene Tunny

Earlier this week I spoke with Damian Coory on his The Other Side program about the massively expanding federal debt and the economic cost of lockdowns, among other issues. The YouTube video of our conversation is embedded below. Given the … Continue reading →

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

Brisbane Olympics interview with Grafa’s Grady Wulff

Posted on July 23, 2021 by Gene Tunny

As well as keeping track of the worsening COVID-19 situation, I’ve spent much of this week thinking about the economic consequences and costs and benefits of the 2032 Brisbane Olympics. I was pleased to chat yesterday with Grafa’s Grady Wulff … Continue reading →

Posted in Brisbane | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Worthy petitions on Olympics and Restoring Democracy in Qld

Posted on July 21, 2021 by Gene Tunny

Now that Brisbane has won the 2032 Olympics we need to avoid the Winner’s Curse and do our best to deliver it cost-effectively while maximising the benefits and spreading them across Queensland, so the Olympics doesn’t only benefit the promoters, … Continue reading →

Posted in Brisbane, Health | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Regional concerns over 2032 Brisbane Olympics

Posted on July 18, 2021 by Gene Tunny

The Queensland Premier, Brisbane Lord Mayor, and federal Sports Minister are flying to Tokyo for the Olympics, to make the final pitch for Brisbane to host the Games in 2032, although we’re the preferred bidder and apparently the only city … Continue reading →

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

Managing government budgets podcast chat with Rachel Nolan, former Qld Gov’t finance minister

Posted on July 17, 2021 by Gene Tunny

Former Queensland Government Finance and Transport Minister Rachel Nolan (currently Queensland Executive Director of the McKell Institute) provides some great insights into managing government budgets in my latest Economics Explored episode EP96 Managing Government Budgets. For example, here’s Rachel on … Continue reading →

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

Premier’s Estimates appearance illustrates my point at ASPG seminar at Parliament House in June

Posted on July 16, 2021 by Gene Tunny

Exhibit A regarding the woefulness of Queensland’s Parliamentary Committee process and the lack of accountability of executive government in this state is the appalling budget estimates committee meeting today, during which the Premier would not disclose whether taxpayers would pay … Continue reading →

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

4BC interview on lowest unemployment rate in over ten years

Posted on July 15, 2021 by Gene Tunny

I had a good chat with Scott Emerson on his 4BC Drive program this afternoon about the June ABS Labour Force estimates released today which showed the national unemployment rate falling to 4.9%, the lowest rate since December 2010. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Labour market | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Does government understand business and realise the huge costs of lockdowns?

Posted on July 13, 2021 by Gene Tunny

The reports from the Sydney lockdown are grim. The lockdown is imposing a huge cost on affected businesses. The financial assistance offered today by the federal and NSW governments may be insufficient for many businesses (e.g. see Sydney CBD restaurants … Continue reading →

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