Author Archives: Gene Tunny

A remarkable Queenslander commits political suicide

Posted on February 22, 2012 by Gene Tunny

No one can deny Kevin Rudd’s exceptional intelligence and star quality, but he has no way back from his resignation as Foreign Minister today, particularly after some of the Labor Party’s most powerful people – Swan, Crean and Burke – … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

The 4% unemployment rate target – achievability vs sustainability

Posted on February 21, 2012 by Gene Tunny

There is a good post at Loose Change on the sustainability of the Opposition’s 4% unemployment rate commitment, which links to my previous post showing that the commitment is feasible, in an arithmetic sense at least. On its sustainability, my … Continue reading →

Posted in Labour market, Macroeconomy | 3 Comments

Qld business investment grew at nearly 15% per quarter in mid-2011

Posted on February 17, 2012 by Gene Tunny

OESR’s State Accounts for September 2011, which were released today, contain this chart showing the massive growth in business investment (primarily resources sector related) in the June and September quarters of last year: The massive level of investment occurring across … Continue reading →

Posted in Macroeconomy, Mining | Leave a comment

Qantas sheds 500 jobs, but economy gained 46,400 jobs in January

Posted on February 16, 2012 by Gene Tunny

A colleague of mine thinks it says something about the quality of economic journalism in this country that Qantas shedding 500 jobs overshadowed the excellent ABS employment data released today, as shown by this screen shot from the Age website … Continue reading →

Posted in Labour market | Leave a comment

Building activity improving, but will remain “fairly subdued” in many regions

Posted on February 16, 2012 by Gene Tunny

Queensland Master Builders yesterday released its regional snapshots from its quarterly survey of industry conditions. The following conditions are expected over the March quarter: “fairly subdued” in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Far North, North Queensland, Sunshine Coast and Wide Bay Burnett … Continue reading →

Posted in Housing, North Queensland | Leave a comment

Even closer economic relations with New Zealand?

Posted on February 15, 2012 by Gene Tunny

As the world’s most remote advanced economy, and with limited resources and low visibility in international financial markets, New Zealand would see benefits in closer integration with Australia, which the two countries’ Productivity Commissions have just been commissioned to explore. … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget, Macroeconomy, Migration | Leave a comment

Brisbane Economic Development Plan foreshadows public wi-fi expansion

Posted on February 14, 2012 by Gene Tunny

The new Brisbane Economic Development Plan 2012-2031 says all the right things about wanting to make Brisbane more innovative and creative, attracting the best and brightest and streamlining council processes. It contains at least one really good idea, that of … Continue reading →

Posted in Brisbane, Mining | 5 Comments

Home loans data confirm Qld economy is strong

Posted on February 13, 2012 by Gene Tunny

Today’s new ABS housing finance commitments data show strong growth nationally in December 2011 (up 2.3% seasonally adjusted), with Queensland in second place among States and Territories:

Posted in Housing | Leave a comment

One in ten NSW residents would prefer to live in Queensland

Posted on February 12, 2012 by Gene Tunny

Interstate migration to Queensland has been at low levels recently but I expect it to rebound as a result of Australia’s two-speed economy. As growth in NSW and Victoria will be sluggish compared with Queensland and WA, I expect many … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

More Chinese than Japanese tourists on Gold Coast

Posted on February 10, 2012 by Gene Tunny

Fascinating new regional tourism data from Tourism Queensland confirm the rise in Chinese tourism to Queensland and the massive opportunity it represents. I was especially surprised to see Chinese visitors to the Gold Coast exceeding Japanese visitors: The Japanese still … Continue reading →

Posted in Cairns, Gold Coast, Tourism | Leave a comment