Author Archives: Gene Tunny

NQ and Mackay region builders the least optimistic

Posted on February 17, 2014 by Gene Tunny

I just noticed Master Builders Queensland released its latest survey of industry conditions last week. While it shows a positive outlook on average across all regions, the outlook is only just positive in the North Queensland and Mackay regions (see … Continue reading →

Posted in Housing, Mining, North Queensland, Townsville | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Qld’s falling share of international tourism in Australia

Posted on February 17, 2014 by Gene Tunny

Mark Beath at Loose Change (Folks are dumb where I come from!) has noticed there is now a record low proportion of international visitors to Australia declaring the State they spent the most time in was Queensland (N.B. data only available … Continue reading →

Posted in Tourism | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Removing second-hand car import restrictions could significantly lower car prices

Posted on February 14, 2014 by Gene Tunny

I was happy to learn from a former Canberra colleague yesterday that I’m cited in the Productivity Commission’s January 2014 Position Paper on the car industry, regarding the benefits that would come from removing the restriction on second-hand car imports. … Continue reading →

Posted in Industry policy, Labour market | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Scope to cut Qld Government industry assistance

Posted on February 13, 2014 by Gene Tunny

Queensland Treasurer Tim Nicholls did a good job of dampening expectations for this year’s Queensland Budget yesterday: Queensland Treasurer Tim Nicholls says there will be no over-spending in the last budget before the election While the Government is rightly investigating … Continue reading →

Posted in Industry policy, Tourism | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Top twenty largest cities and towns in Queensland by population

Posted on February 11, 2014 by Gene Tunny

I get quite a few hits on my blog from people searching for the populations of Queensland cities, particularly Townsville, given an old post of mine: Is Townsville or Cairns the capital of North Qld?. Hence I’ve decided to chart Queensland Treasury’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Cairns, Population, Townsville | Tagged , , , , , , | 12 Comments

ABC Brisbane radio interview on Toyota departure

Posted on February 11, 2014 by Gene Tunny

This morning, Steve Austin from 612 ABC Brisbane interviewed me regarding Toyota’s departure and the demise of car manufacturing in Australia: How will Toyota’s departure affect the local economy? I reiterated a number of points I’ve made previously, including in … Continue reading →

Posted in Industry policy, Macroeconomy | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Minimal threat to Qld economy from car industry shutdown

Posted on February 10, 2014 by Gene Tunny

The demise of Australia’s car manufacturing industry was always inevitable, but even I have been surprised at the pace with which Ford, GM Holden and now Toyota have announced their plans to cease production in Australia. While the plant closures … Continue reading →

Posted in Industry policy, Labour market, Macroeconomy | Tagged , | 6 Comments

Hospitality suffering under IR regime

Posted on February 9, 2014 by Gene Tunny

On my way back from the Boondall ice skating rink this morning I stopped in at my favourite north side cafe, Dandelion & Driftwood, and while walking back to my car I noticed this sign on the neighbouring restaurant:  The … Continue reading →

Posted in IR | Tagged , , , , , | 8 Comments

Qld businesses more optimistic than current conditions suggest they probably should be

Posted on February 7, 2014 by Gene Tunny

The December quarter edition of the timely and very useful CCIQ-Westpac Pulse Report released yesterday confirms reasonably high levels of confidence among Queensland businesses and a continuing improvement in business conditions. While CCIQ considers confidence is no longer running ahead of … Continue reading →

Posted in Macroeconomy, Retail trade | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Further TAFE job cuts likely in new contestable training market

Posted on February 6, 2014 by Gene Tunny

The effective corporatisation of TAFE Queensland last year (see Qld TAFE to become statutory body) and the push for greater contestability in training funding – both of which I support – will no doubt lead to a rationalisation of Queensland … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, VET | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment