Author Archives: Gene Tunny

Are we still turning Japanese? I don’t think so – guest post by Joe Branigan

Posted on September 24, 2018 by Gene Tunny

I am delighted to publish the full version of Joe Branigan’s recent article on second languages offered in Queensland schools. An edited version was published in the Courier-Mail last week, but that version omitted one of Joe’s major points and … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

My comments on NQ exit in ABC online story

Posted on September 23, 2018 by Gene Tunny

Thanks to ABC state political reporter Josh Bavas for asking my opinion on the new state of North Queensland that has been proposed from time-to-time, most recently by Katter’s Australian Party and Queensland Senator Matt Canavan, Minister for Resources and … Continue reading →

Posted in Cairns, North Queensland, Townsville, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Qld regional unemployment rates facet wrap via R

Posted on September 20, 2018 by Gene Tunny

Queensland is such a large and diverse state, with regional economies having vastly different drivers of growth (e.g. tourism in Cairns, mining in Mackay), that it’s often hard to get a sense of how different parts of the state are … Continue reading →

Posted in Cairns, Labour market, Mackay, Migration, Mining, Townsville, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Blunt message to states from Canberra on recreational cannabis – guest post from Stephen Thornton

Posted on September 17, 2018 by Gene Tunny

I am delighted to publish this guest post from my good friend and colleague Dr Stephen Thornton. Views expressed in this guest post are Stephen’s, and should not necessarily be attributed to me as well. GT Blunt message to states … Continue reading →

Posted in Social policy, Tax, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Low wages growth & the drop in household saving – 612 ABC Brisbane panel discussion

Posted on September 8, 2018 by Gene Tunny

Low wages growth and the drop in household saving recorded in the June quarter National Accounts were considered in a panel discussion I participated in on Emma Griffiths’s 612 ABC Brisbane Focus program yesterday morning, which you can listen to … Continue reading →

Posted in IR, Labour market, Macroeconomy, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Has there been a “huge slump” in the Qld economy?

Posted on September 6, 2018 by Gene Tunny

The Courier-Mail today is reporting a “huge slump” in the Queensland economy after yesterday’s ABS National Accounts figures revealed state final demand grew only 0.1 percent in the June quarter, the second lowest rate among states and territories. The paper … Continue reading →

Posted in Macroeconomy, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Economists and the media

Posted on September 3, 2018 by Gene Tunny

This Thursday lunchtime, I’ll be chairing an ESA (Qld) seminar on economists and the media, featuring former ABC finance reporter Rebecca Archer, Director of Connect Media Training, and Griffith Economics Professor Fabrizio Carmignani, a frequent media commentator and contributor to … Continue reading →

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

RBA Deputy Governor Guy Debelle’s Low Inflation address to ESA Qld at the Brisbane Hilton

Posted on August 25, 2018 by Gene Tunny

Last Wednesday, RBA Deputy Governor Guy Debelle addressed the ESA (Qld) business lunch at the Brisbane Hilton on the topic of low inflation.* The Deputy Governor took the audience through the different components of the consumer price index (CPI) and … Continue reading →

Posted in Housing, Macroeconomy, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Lack of clarity on due diligence for GBR Foundation grant is a major concern

Posted on August 14, 2018 by Gene Tunny

Today’s Courier-Mail includes opposing opinion pieces on the Turnbull government’s controversial $444 million grant to the Great Barrier Reef Foundation, which according to the author of the first opinion piece, Foundation Managing Director Anna Marsden, is the “lead charity” for … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Is the Dutton Park high-rise high school really necessary?

Posted on August 4, 2018 by Gene Tunny

David Gillespie, Brisbane State High School Council Chairman (and author of Free Schools and Sweet Poison) gave a terrific interview on the 612 ABC Brisbane Breakfast program (at 2:18:50) yesterday morning. He argued State High’s over-enrollment problem is due to … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments