Author Archives: Gene Tunny

Qld economy’s growth rate reduced by business CAPEX fall

Queensland had the second lowest rate of State Final Demand (SFD) growth in the first quarter of 2021, according to the March quarter National Accounts published by the ABS yesterday. Queensland’s SFD grew at 0.4% compared with a national average … Continue reading

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Housing approvals at record high nationwide, but Qld’s historic high was in mid-1990s

Soaring property prices and surging building approvals highlight a residential property market super-charged by record-low interest rates, returning expatriates, and a Fear Of Missing Out (FOMO). CoreLogic has estimated property prices were up 2.2% nationwide in May and up 2.0% … Continue reading

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QCA warned against bidding wars (e.g. on Origin games) back in 2015

As a Townsvillian by birth, I am happy that Townsville will host the first 2021 State of Origin game, but I’m also appalled that Queensland taxpayers have to pay (reportedly) up to $8 million to the NRL so Townsville can … Continue reading

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Growing concerns that stimulus and money printing are fuelling inflation

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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