Author Archives: Gene Tunny

Sustainable population growth put in too hard basket

Posted on May 14, 2011 by Gene Tunny

While I disagree with his anti-migration stance, Monash University’s Bob Birrell makes some good points in his commentary on Australia’s sustainable population strategy, which rejected Kevin Rudd’s vision of a big Australia by electing not to nominate a population target. … Continue reading →

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Wayne Swan on Queensland’s recovery from cruel Summer

Posted on May 14, 2011 by Gene Tunny

The Deputy PM-Treasurer Wayne Swan gave a good speech in Brisbane today on The Story of Budget, in which he included some useful info detailing Queensland’s recovery from the floods and Cyclone Yasi: The rebuilding process will also be a … Continue reading →

Posted in Cyclones, Floods | Leave a comment

Gold Coast development rules unfair on pole dancing studios

Posted on May 12, 2011 by Gene Tunny

Last month Gold Coast-based MP Steve Ciobo argued that the Gold Coast needed to put on the razzle dazzle so it could compete with Las Vegas and Macau (read about it here). If Mr Ciobo is serious about his vision … Continue reading →

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Best economics book of the year so far – Tim Harford’s Adapt

Posted on May 12, 2011 by Gene Tunny

The Undercover Economist Tim Harford’s latest book Adapt lucidly explains the virtues of a free market economy, which allows a wide range of businesses to try their luck, with only the fittest surviving, meaning the economy adapts in a similar … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Budget losers

Posted on May 11, 2011 by Gene Tunny

Despite the federal Government committing $365 million last year for the Gold Coast’s new light rail system, Ken Robinson of the Gold Coast Bulletin is asking the Government “what have you done for us lately?” Gold Coast invisible in Federal … Continue reading →

Posted in Agriculture, Budget, Gold Coast, Mackay | Leave a comment

Government tells Logan and Rocky “You’re poor and we’re here to help”

Posted on May 11, 2011 by Gene Tunny

In the Budget papers released last night, the Gillard Government identified Logan and Rockhampton as among 10 disadvantaged locations across Australia eligible for intensive assistance: In the usual unclear bureaucratic language of Government documents, here is how the Government’s plans … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget, Rockhampton | Leave a comment

Mining sector dominates investment spending

Posted on May 10, 2011 by Gene Tunny

At the RBA briefing on its monetary policy statement in Melbourne yesterday, the RBA’s head of economic analysis, Dr Tony Richards, stunned some audience members when he mentioned that mining sector investment would increase to around 6% of GDP in … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget, Macroeconomy, Mining | Leave a comment

Budget shows $6bn loss of coal production

Posted on May 10, 2011 by Gene Tunny

One chart in the 2011-12 federal Budget papers that caught my eye shows the big hit to coal production caused by our Summer of natural disasters: The Treasury explains: The direct negative impact of the recent natural disasters is expected … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget, Mining | Leave a comment

Gold Coast students will be able to surf in between lectures

Posted on May 7, 2011 by Gene Tunny

Installing surfboard racks on the Gold Coast light rail system is an inspired and innovative idea, which is consistent with the brand the Gold Coast wishes to project internationally. It will surely be a talking point among visitors and generate … Continue reading →

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

OECD admits it stuffed up in lead up to crisis, and blames IMF, too

Posted on May 6, 2011 by Gene Tunny

Her Majesty the Queen was not impressed with the failure of economists to foresee the 2008 financial crisis, as noted in this just released OECD working paper on Surveillance by International Institutions. The paper contains some interesting self-criticism from the OECD … Continue reading →

Posted in Macroeconomy | Leave a comment