Author Archives: Gene Tunny

Qld Government provides $850 million of industry assistance ($190 per capita)

Posted on June 25, 2011 by Gene Tunny

One of the easiest jobs I ever had in the Commonwealth Treasury was working in the Industry Policy Unit,  partly because the Productivity Commission had already compiled the hit list of wasteful corporate welfare programs in its annual Trade and … Continue reading →

Posted in Industry policy | Leave a comment

Is Screen Queensland assisting Deception and Bad Karma?

Posted on June 25, 2011 by Gene Tunny

The Queensland Government provides over $13 million of assistance per annum to the film industry through Screen Queensland. Following a report in the Gold Coast Bulletin this morning with the headline Two new feature films to be shot on the Coast, … Continue reading →

Posted in Industry policy | Leave a comment

Queensland still struggling to attract interstate migrants

Posted on June 24, 2011 by Gene Tunny

Here’s a chart based on yesterday’s ABS demographic data release: Meanwhile, Fraser Coast residents aren’t waiting for the people to come. They’re busy creating their own people (Fraser Coast baby boom): The number of babies born in the region has … Continue reading →

Posted in Population | Leave a comment

Agricultural businesses cover 75% of Queensland – highest proportion in Australia

Posted on June 21, 2011 by Gene Tunny

There are some interesting statistics in today’s ABS release Land Management and Farming in Australia: In 2009-10, approximately 52% of Australia’s total land area was managed by agricultural businesses, a 4% decrease since 2007-08. On a state basis, the lowest proportion … Continue reading →

Posted in Agriculture | Leave a comment

Government right in rejecting northern economic zone

Posted on June 21, 2011 by Gene Tunny

The Queensland Government was right in rejecting the northern economic zone proposal from the Institute of Public Affairs, as reported in the Brisbane Times: The concept is intended to encourage investment through reducing fringe benefits and payroll tax, securing property … Continue reading →

Posted in North Queensland | 1 Comment

Tradies know what it means to live in the 200km City

Posted on June 19, 2011 by Gene Tunny

The downside of a 200km City (i.e. SEQ from Noosa to the Tweed) is that you can have a long commute to and from work. The upside is that, if there is a downturn in your local area, you can … Continue reading →

Posted in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Ipswich | 2 Comments

Cairns hoping for reconstruction boost

Posted on June 17, 2011 by Gene Tunny

There is still no good news for Cairns and the Far North from the ABS, as reported by the Cairns Post (Far North Queensland’s unemployment rate tops Australia): THE Far North’s jobless rate is again the highest in Australia after … Continue reading →

Posted in Cairns, Macroeconomy | 1 Comment

State against State

Posted on June 15, 2011 by Gene Tunny

While NSW currently beats us in income per capita ($49,600 vs $45,300), we’re catching up…

Posted in Macroeconomy | Leave a comment

We should cut stamp duty, not increase it

Posted on June 14, 2011 by Gene Tunny

While today’s Queensland Budget was broadly ok and economically responsible, I was surprised by the removal of the stamp duty concession for existing home owners who buy a new place of residence. The Brisbane Times reports (Property market tipped to … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget, Housing, Queensland Government | 1 Comment

Possible High Court challenge against mining tax

Posted on June 13, 2011 by Gene Tunny

Adele Ferguson in the Sydney Morning Herald (See you in Court) notes the Queensland Government may join a High Court challenge against the mining tax: A letter from mining billionaire Andrew Forrest to the Prime Minister reveals continuing dissent about … Continue reading →

Posted in Mining, Queensland Government, Tax | Leave a comment