Monthly Archives: August 2021

Lockdowns podcast chat with Senator Malcolm Roberts

Posted on August 31, 2021 by Gene Tunny

One thing that has really shocked me during the pandemic is just how heartless, inconsistent, and hypocritical government policy can be, even when it is directed at promoting the greater good. The latest example of that is obviously the Queensland … Continue reading →

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

Why trust science podcast discussion

Posted on August 23, 2021 by Gene Tunny

I expect the Queensland Government will find it very hard to resist the pressure to end border restrictions once we reach the 80% vaccination target, but the report in The Australian today reminds us that even that isn’t guaranteed: Jab … Continue reading →

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Qld economy should cope better than NSW and Vic. economies, but our tourism regions will suffer badly

Posted on August 21, 2021 by Gene Tunny

The ongoing economic fallout of the Delta outbreak continued this week, regardless of the statistical anomaly, due to people leaving the workforce, that was the reported 4.6% national unemployment rate for July. Queensland had the highest unemployment rate (5.2%) among … Continue reading →

Posted in Cairns, Macroeconomy | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Cash for Jabs and other incentives for vaccinations against COVID-19

Posted on August 14, 2021 by Gene Tunny

Governments around the world are experimenting with various incentives such as cash and free beer to encourage vaccinations against COVID-19. In episode 100 of my Economics Explored podcast, I chat with Melbourne-based economist and regulatory economics expert Isaac Katz about … Continue reading →

Posted in Health | Tagged , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

All going down together

Posted on August 13, 2021 by Gene Tunny

What an awful month it’s been so far. For the first time in 12 months, the Gold Coast airport had no flights one day earlier this week, as reported by the Courier-Mail. Businesses across the country are pleading for help. … Continue reading →

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

Higher coal prices helping Qld economy and state budget in this time of rolling lockdowns

Posted on August 9, 2021 by Gene Tunny

Coking and thermal coal prices have recovered massively from their pandemic-induced lows in 2020, providing much-needed help to the Queensland economy and state budget in this time of rolling lockdowns. In the chart below are the one-month and twelve-month-ahead futures … Continue reading →

Posted in Mining | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

PC says fuel tax credit isn’t a fossil fuel subsidy

Posted on August 3, 2021 by Gene Tunny

Some commentators claim the federal government’s fuel tax credit for business is a $7.8bn fossil fuel subsidy (e.g. see the Australia Institute’s Fossil fuel subsidies in Australia), but the Productivity Commission has provided me a great explanation regarding why the … Continue reading →

Posted in Mining, Tax | 6 Comments

Circuit-breaker could become business-breaker lockdown

Posted on August 2, 2021 by Gene Tunny

Despite telling us earlier this year she wouldn’t have to lock us down anymore (see Brisbane won’t face another virus lockdown), CHO Jeannette Young has imposed on SEQ two “circuit breaker” lockdowns in one month. And this one looks like … Continue reading →

Posted in Brisbane | Tagged , , , , , , | 8 Comments