Author Archives: Gene Tunny

Uber/Taxi Green Paper not too bad, but needs more economic analysis and evidence

Posted on May 21, 2016 by Gene Tunny

In the Green Paper on Queensland’s Personalised Transport Industry released by the Queensland Government yesterday, I was hoping to see a cost-benefit analysis of the different reform options, an analysis which would reveal the large benefits to consumers coming from … Continue reading →

Posted in Transport, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Qld unemployment rate trends up and jobs trend down

Posted on May 20, 2016 by Gene Tunny

The April 2016 ABS jobs data confirm the view I have expressed for a while now that the Queensland economy is under-performing (see charts below and Treasury’s brief). While in South-East Queensland conditions appear reasonable, the regions are struggling with … Continue reading →

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

Transparency and good governance essential for successful infrastructure projects

Posted on May 19, 2016 by Gene Tunny

After my recent post on mega-projects, I came across this excellent presentation, by a Jacobs consultant and an Adelaide University academic, which was delivered to a conference in Adelaide last year: Jacobs presentation on infrastructure risks and mega projects The … Continue reading →

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

New motor vehicle sales lower in Qld than before financial crisis

Posted on May 18, 2016 by Gene Tunny

New motor vehicle sales data for April released by the ABS yesterday support the RBA Board’s decision to cut the cash rate on Budget day earlier this month, with sales down 2.5% in April nationwide, and down 7.7% in Queensland, … Continue reading →

Posted in Macroeconomy, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Cross River Rail equals mega-project equals mega-risk

Posted on May 17, 2016 by Gene Tunny

Shadow Assistant Treasurer Andrew Leigh is a very good economist, so I hope he is encouraging his colleagues to wait for and fully scrutinise the Cross River Rail business case being delivered in June, before the Federal Opposition commits to … Continue reading →

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

Targeting infrastructure spending as a % of GSP won’t work – Guest post by Joe Branigan

Posted on May 12, 2016 by Gene Tunny

Again, I am delighted to publish a guest post from my good friend and former Treasury colleague Joe Branigan. The usual disclaimer applies, that the views expressed in this article are Joe’s and should not necessarily be attributed to me. … Continue reading →

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

FACCI thriving in time of greater French-Australian economic cooperation

Posted on May 11, 2016 by Gene Tunny

The recent awarding of the $50 billion submarine contract to French firm DCNS was greeted enthusiastically by members of the French-Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FACCI), which is doing terrific things around town and running some excellent events. For … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Mining, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Don’t miss 16 June Brisbane speech by RBA Deputy Governor Philip Lowe, the Bank’s next Governor

Posted on May 10, 2016 by Gene Tunny

At a lunchtime event at Tattersall’s Club in Brisbane yesterday, after he predicted another interest rate cut this year in either June or August, Dr Chris Caton, BT’s Chief Economist, noted that “Interest rate changes are like cockroaches.” That is, … Continue reading →

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Government ownership of QIC becoming less appropriate every day

Posted on May 7, 2016 by Gene Tunny

The Queensland Treasurer’s media release yesterday regarding QIC’s purchase of a large stake in a Northern Australian cattle business should have raised eyebrows: Treasurer Curtis Pitt has welcomed today’s announcement that the Queensland Government’s investment manager, QIC, will acquire 80 … Continue reading →

Posted in Agriculture, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Could we cope with two Federal Budgets in one year?

Posted on May 6, 2016 by Gene Tunny

Michael Roche, QRC CEO, and I at Jade Buddha for the Resources Roundup At the QRC Resources Roundup at Jade Buddha, Brisbane CBD on Wednesday afternoon, after I provided my thoughts on the 2016-17 Budget, I was asked whether there … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget, Mining, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments