Author Archives: Gene Tunny

Qld economy well positioned in 2nd quarter 2018, esp. given Commonwealth Games

Posted on April 2, 2018 by Gene Tunny

We are now in the second quarter of 2018, and it’s a good time to review the economic outlook for Queensland. Job vacancy data released by the ABS last Thursday were very encouraging, and suggest the current economic upswing, encompassing … Continue reading →

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International education booms in southern states – Qld sector growing nicely, but can do even better

Posted on March 29, 2018 by Gene Tunny

In the vicinity of my office at the Johnson on Boundary St, Spring Hill, it appears that Queensland’s international education sector is booming. During weekday lunch times, Boundary St is usually teeming with students, mostly East Asian, studying at the … Continue reading →

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Huge financial sustainability challenges for Qld’s remote Indigenous councils

Posted on March 24, 2018 by Gene Tunny

Queensland’s remote Indigenous councils are facing huge financial sustainability challenges, with the councils typically running large operating deficits, averaging nearly 20 percent of revenue, and running down their asset base to survive (see figure below), according to the Queensland Audit … Continue reading →

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4BC Dora the Explorer interview & ABC News coverage of my CBIC analysis

Posted on March 20, 2018 by Gene Tunny

Dora the Explorer interview with Ben Davis on 4BC Yesterday afternoon I had an enjoyable chat with Ben Davis on his 4BC wireless show Brisbane Live regarding the state government’s use of taxpayers’ money to lure the live action Dora … Continue reading →

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Fair Share is overly pessimistic and interventionist, but still worth reading

Posted on March 18, 2018 by Gene Tunny

Last Wednesday night I was fortunate to attend the Fair Share book launch at Brisbane’s historic Customs House. Unlike many book launches it was widely reported (e.g. this SMH article), as the book was launched by former Prime Minister Paul … Continue reading →

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Will 2018 be the year for Airbnb certainty in strata? Guest post by Stephen Thornton

Posted on March 12, 2018 by Gene Tunny

Anyone living in an apartment block has probably noticed the increasing numbers of strangers with rolling suitcases who are obviously staying in Airbnb accommodation. Living in a Toowong apartment tower, I am frequently having to help short-term visitors find their … Continue reading →

Posted in Housing, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

City of Brisbane Investment Corporation’s peculiar investment philosophy

Posted on March 6, 2018 by Gene Tunny

I have previously been critical of the City of Brisbane Investment Corporation (CBIC), which is owned by the Brisbane City Council, but is becoming a significant property investor and developer, raising all sorts of questions about the risk it is … Continue reading →

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On Qld’s relative lack of big private sector employers

Posted on March 1, 2018 by Gene Tunny

Business registrations data published by the ABS reveal Queensland has disproportionately fewer major private sector employers (with 200+ employees) than southern states. And the gap is particularly disproportionate in several sectors, including information media & telecommunications, professional, scientific & technical … Continue reading →

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Should Australia cut the company tax rate?

Posted on February 27, 2018 by Gene Tunny

Pauline Hanson’s opinion piece in yesterday’s Australian arguing against the Turnbull Government’s planned company tax cut (and in favour of state government payroll tax cuts instead) may well mean the end for the Turnbull Government’s planned cut. Hanson’s article highlights … Continue reading →

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

Business counts data show rise of Uber and start ups

Posted on February 22, 2018 by Gene Tunny

Yesterday afternoon, on his 612 ABC Brisbane drive time show (from 1:42:50), Steve Austin interviewed my colleague QEAS Director Nick Behrens on the still relatively weak wages growth figures released yesterday. Nick also covered more positive news regarding the state … Continue reading →

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