Category Archives: Brisbane

Economic update and interest rate discussion at Brisbane Club next Wednesday

Australian Treasury Secretary Steven Kennedy nicely summarised the economic outlook in his Opening statement to the Parliament’s Economics Legislation Committee yesterday: Nonetheless, while the disruption caused by Omicron has been significant, its overall economic impact is likely to be less … Continue reading

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Circuit-breaker could become business-breaker lockdown

Despite telling us earlier this year she wouldn’t have to lock us down anymore (see Brisbane won’t face another virus lockdown), CHO Jeannette Young has imposed on SEQ two “circuit breaker” lockdowns in one month. And this one looks like … Continue reading

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Full-employment policy in post-war Australia – Brisbane bus network example from Seven News Flashback

Seven News Brisbane has prepared a Flashblack with an extraordinary example of full employment policy in action in Brisbane in the late sixties/early seventies, when Brisbane adopted diesel buses after the trams were retired by Clem Jones. A distinguished gentleman … Continue reading

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Brisbane Olympics interview with Grafa’s Grady Wulff

As well as keeping track of the worsening COVID-19 situation, I’ve spent much of this week thinking about the economic consequences and costs and benefits of the 2032 Brisbane Olympics. I was pleased to chat yesterday with Grafa’s Grady Wulff … Continue reading

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Worthy petitions on Olympics and Restoring Democracy in Qld

Now that Brisbane has won the 2032 Olympics we need to avoid the Winner’s Curse and do our best to deliver it cost-effectively while maximising the benefits and spreading them across Queensland, so the Olympics doesn’t only benefit the promoters, … Continue reading

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Regional concerns over 2032 Brisbane Olympics

The Queensland Premier, Brisbane Lord Mayor, and federal Sports Minister are flying to Tokyo for the Olympics, to make the final pitch for Brisbane to host the Games in 2032, although we’re the preferred bidder and apparently the only city … Continue reading

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Our slow slide into totalitarianism

As Brisbane residents wait for news about what seems to be an inevitable lockdown, we ought to recall the words of British statesman William Pitt the Younger (1759-1806): Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom. It is … Continue reading

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Brisbane Council CEO $700k pay chat with Scott Emerson on 4BC

I had a good chat with Scott Emerson on his 4BC Drive program on Tuesday afternoon about the fat pay packet of Brisbane City Council boss Colin Jensen, who is paid over $700k each year, placing him easily in the … Continue reading

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Queenslanders, sign up for Brisbane Holiday Dollars lottery

The Brisbane Holiday Dollars voucher program is a tiny stimulus from a macroeconomic perspective, representing only $3 million of state government funding at the most, but businesses dependent on tourism need all the help they can get given all the … Continue reading

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Missing Middle Housing podcast chat with Natalie Rayment of Wolter Consulting

Brisbane City Council’s worst piece of policy making in recent years was the townhouse ban affecting much of Brisbane (see Townhouse Ban in Effect and my 27 August 2019 post). Around the world, progressive cities such as Portland, Oregon are … Continue reading

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