Author Archives: Gene Tunny

Which Qld regions are the most productive per capita?

Posted on July 10, 2013 by Gene Tunny

Based on Queensland Treasury figures published earlier this year (Experimental Estimates of Gross Regional Product), the North West and Mackay regions of Queensland have the highest levels of gross regional product (GRP) per capita, largely due to mining in each … Continue reading →

Posted in Brisbane, Gold Coast, North Queensland | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Greater uncertainty over 2013-14 economic outlook

Posted on July 10, 2013 by Gene Tunny

The last 24 hours have seen the release of a sobering NAB report on its monthly business survey (Business conditions collapse in June, retail worst hit, says NAB) and the latest IMF World Economic Outlook, which has slightly downgraded China’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Macroeconomy, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Scope to raise more revenue from gambling and cut bad taxes

Posted on July 9, 2013 by Gene Tunny

In making his case for getting Brisbane’s second casino licence, James Packer observed last week (according to the Courier-Mail): “Brisbane and Queensland have been badly let down by Echo – they have under-invested and underperformed. Queensland taxpayers are missing out … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget, Tax | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Toowoomba very reliant on education sector – risk from higher ed reform

Posted on July 5, 2013 by Gene Tunny

An article in the Toowoomba Chronicle has reminded me just how significant the University of Southern Queensland has been to Toowoomba’s economic development and prosperity, and the USQ Vice-Chancellor is certainly right to be concerned about potential higher education policy … Continue reading →

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Queenslanders spending, but not building

Posted on July 5, 2013 by Gene Tunny

It was a week of mixed economic news for Queensland, with the latest ABS data showing retail spending is growing reasonably well in Queensland, while building approvals continue at low levels. Queensland is out-performing the rest of Australia on retail … Continue reading →

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

Further decline in exchange rate would be good news for Qld tourism

Posted on July 2, 2013 by Gene Tunny

The HIA released an interesting note today forecasting the Australian dollar will continue to decline, possibly down to the US$0.70 to US$0.80 range (see Decline of the Aussie dollar: Where to from here?). I agree with the HIA there are … Continue reading →

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

Commonwealth should give up student target – big savings possible from higher ed reform

Posted on July 2, 2013 by Gene Tunny

The Commonwealth is projected to spend over $10 billion on higher education by 2016-17 according to the 2013-14 Budget papers (see chart above). Hence it’s unsurprising the Government is looking at savings in this area, as reported in the Australian … Continue reading →

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Productivity Commission says no rationale for State ownership of Energex and Ergon

Posted on June 27, 2013 by Gene Tunny

Paul Syvret in the Courier-Mail today has a nice summary of the Productivity Commission’s latest report on Electricity Network Regulation. The Commission suggests there would be cost savings and lower power bills flowing from privatisation of electricity network businesses such … Continue reading →

Posted in Energy | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

State against State – Qld caught up to NSW in per capita output over 2000s

Posted on June 26, 2013 by Gene Tunny

NSW was traditionally a more productive State than Queensland per head of population, as expressed in economic measures such as gross state product (GSP) per capita produced by the ABS. But Queensland’s economy caught up in per capita terms over … Continue reading →

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Townsville beats Brisbane on economic fundamentals, says new RAI Insight database

Posted on June 25, 2013 by Gene Tunny

Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill will be pleased the Regional Australia Institute has ranked Townsville very highly on economic fundamentals in its new Insight database, as it supports the Council’s case for investing in the region that will be expressed in its … Continue reading →

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