Category Archives: Budget

Qld Government gets lucky in election Budget, but debt to climb to $81 billion in 2020-21

Posted on June 13, 2017 by Gene Tunny

The 2017-18 State Budget reveals the Queensland Government got very lucky this year, benefiting from a surge in royalties that has allowed it to generate a positive fiscal balance (i.e. the budget balance that also accounts for infrastructure spending) in … Continue reading →

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Great work BDO, which had the best Budget summary (and a highly entertaining breakfast)

Posted on May 14, 2017 by Gene Tunny

Leading accounting firm BDO consistently produces the best federal Budget summary, and this year’s did not let them down. The sub-title of the 2017 Federal Budget summary is: A quick sprint to the finish line for housing affordability, but still … Continue reading →

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Cross River Rail Budget snub unsurprising given weak business case – will QIC now step in?

Posted on May 10, 2017 by Gene Tunny

Last night’s federal Budget offered some positive news for Queenslanders, such as a commitment to the Melbourne-to-Brisbane Inland Rail project ($8.4 billion) and Bruce Highway upgrades ($844 million), but disappointed some by not providing funding for the State Government’s priority … Continue reading →

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2017-18 Federal Budget Wish List – guest post from Nick Behrens

Posted on May 2, 2017 by Gene Tunny

I am delighted to publish this guest post on the upcoming federal budget from Nick Behrens, Director at Queensland Economic Advocacy Solutions. GT 2017-18 Federal Budget Wish List by Nick Behrens According to business groups the 2017-18 Federal Budget should … Continue reading →

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Interview with ABC Radio’s Steve Austin on “The time Australia’s Treasury almost ran out of money”

Posted on April 24, 2017 by Gene Tunny

I had a nice chat with 612 ABC Brisbane’s Steve Austin last Friday morning regarding my time in the Australian Treasury, particularly during the financial crisis in 2008-09, and focusing on what he described as: The time Australia’s Treasury almost … Continue reading →

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Moody Blues – guest post by Joe Branigan

Posted on April 21, 2017 by Gene Tunny

I am delighted to publish a guest post by my old friend and former Treasury colleague Joe Branigan on the recent upgrade to the outlook for Queensland’s credit rating from Moody’s. GT Moody Blues by Joe Branigan Moody’s Investor Services … Continue reading →

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Debbie hits Qld Budget, but QIC may help out Government by investing in Cross River Rail

Posted on April 6, 2017 by Gene Tunny

Cyclone Debbie and the floods that followed have tragically resulted in the loss of at least five lives and have done billions of dollars’ worth of damage in Queensland and NSW. And through lower coal royalties (largely associated with an … Continue reading →

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Higher royalties improve Qld budget bottom line, but work still needed on budget repair

Posted on December 14, 2016 by Gene Tunny

As we have been expecting for some time, higher coal prices and thus royalties (see chart below) have translated into a much improved State Budget balance, with the Queensland Treasury now forecasting the biggest operating surplus ($2 billion) in a … Continue reading →

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Qld Audit Office identifies risks to energy businesses from State debt reshuffle

Posted on November 30, 2016 by Gene Tunny

In a report published today on Queensland’s government-owned energy businesses, the Queensland Audit Office has flagged risks associated with the Government’s debt reshuffle (on the debt reshuffle, see this QEW post from December last year). Here is the relevant extract … Continue reading →

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Qld Audit Office gives scathing assessment of Government procurement

Posted on September 28, 2016 by Gene Tunny

The Queensland Audit Office’s first report for the 2016-17 financial year is a scathing assessment of Government procurement practices, an assessment which should spur the State Treasury into action. After all, it is proverbial that, if you look after the … Continue reading →

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