Author Archives: Gene Tunny

Doubts about capabilities of public servants in contract management worldwide

Posted on December 8, 2015 by Gene Tunny

The Economist last week reported on British Chancellor George Osborne’s ambitious plan to remake the British Government, and it observed (in U-turns and new turns): “By 2020 departments will be too cash-strapped to run things; public administration will be far … Continue reading →

Posted in Productivity, Queensland Government, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

More transparency, but KSD upgrade still looks like a dud

Posted on December 4, 2015 by Gene Tunny

Jim Binney, Principal of Mainstream Economics and Policy, has undertaken further analysis of the proposed Kingsford Smith Drive upgrade, following up his guest post from yesterday, and I am very happy to publish his critique of the business case below. … Continue reading →

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

Harper Competition Policy Review – guest post by Rod Bogaards

Posted on December 3, 2015 by Gene Tunny

The Queensland Parliament’s passage of the retrograde sugar bill that was put forward by Katter’s Australian Party is a strong sign that we should not hold much hope for sensible economic policy coming out of this hung parliament (see Brisbane … Continue reading →

Posted in Industry policy, Retail trade, Transport, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Guest post on KSD upgrade by Jim Binney

Posted on December 3, 2015 by Gene Tunny

I am very grateful to Jim Binney, Principal of Mainstream Economics and Policy, for preparing the guest post below on the economics of the Kingsford Smith Drive upgrade.  I share Jim’s suspicion that the project is an “economic dud.” Brisbane … Continue reading →

Posted in Brisbane, Transport | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

What does the sensitivity analysis for KSD upgrade show?

Posted on December 2, 2015 by Gene Tunny

Governments and local councils would be much better off making business cases for public projects such as the $650 million Kingsford Smith Drive upgrade public before they commit to them, so they are tested by the critics and the politicians … Continue reading →

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

PC calls for partial inclusion of family home in pension means test

Posted on December 1, 2015 by Gene Tunny

Last week, Treasurer Scott Morrison warned young Australians not to expect they can rely on the age pension in the future. This was good advice, because the budgetary pressures facing the Commonwealth Government, emphasised again this week in grim forecasts … Continue reading →

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

Governments find a gentle nudge can get results

Posted on November 30, 2015 by Gene Tunny

Australians should be prepared for more nudges from government agencies encouraging us to do the right thing, similar to recent examples such as letters from the ATO urging us to pay our taxes to support our way of life, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Social policy, Tax, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Building construction rebounded in September quarter, but still below previous highs

Posted on November 26, 2015 by Gene Tunny

All the cranes on the Brisbane skyline, from the Valley and Newstead, to West End, Milton and Toowong, might suggest there is a building boom underway. Certainly activity is increasing in the building industry. Building construction work done in Queensland … Continue reading →

Posted in Housing, Mining, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Courier-Mail’s Paul Syvret on my “coldly commercial prism”

Posted on November 22, 2015 by Gene Tunny

Thanks to the Courier-Mail’s Paul Syvret for quoting my last post in his Saturday opinion piece on the proposed new 1,500 seat theatre for Brisbane (see Opinion: New inner-city theatre would be a boost for Brisbane, which may be behind … Continue reading →

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

New 1,500 seat theatre would likely be a waste of taxpayers’ money

Posted on November 19, 2015 by Gene Tunny

The Queensland Government is commissioning a relatively large business case, at a cost of $1.3 million, for a new 1,500 seat theatre for Brisbane, but it is likely there can be no plausible business case, because the theatre would be a … Continue reading →

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