Category Archives: Budget

Qld budget surplus timetable remains the same – how about something more ambitious?

Posted on April 17, 2012 by Gene Tunny

Although the report that the Queensland Government is borrowing to meet recurrent expenses, including to meet public servants’ wages, was presented as something new and surprising, this has been set out clearly in recent budget papers, including the mid-year fiscal … Continue reading →

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Temporary setback for Qld resources sector

Posted on April 12, 2012 by Gene Tunny

Reports today (Mine shutdown a ‘kick in the guts’) about the closure of BMA’s Norwich Park coal mine in Dysart, Central Queensland clearly refute recent claims the mining sector is undergoing an out-of-control expansion. As reported on ABC News (Coal … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget, Mining, North Queensland | 1 Comment

Clever election commitment wording – Govt actually didn’t promise Tier 1 hospital for Cairns

Posted on April 4, 2012 by Gene Tunny

When I read the news that new Health Minister Lawrence Springborg is backing away from upgrading Cairns Base Hospital to a Tier 1 hospital, I thought it was very soon for the Government to back away from clear election commitments … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget, Health | 4 Comments

Costello is a good choice for the Commission of Audit

Posted on March 29, 2012 by Gene Tunny

I was pleased to see that Premier Newman has appointed Peter Costello to head the Commission of Audit (Newman hires Costello for financial check-up). Costello is first class and did a good job in restraining excessive spending under the Howard … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget, Industry policy | Leave a comment

Cutting debt the big challenge for the incoming Government

Posted on March 20, 2012 by Gene Tunny

QUT’s Mark McGovern had a great article published at the Conversation yesterday titled Standing in the shadow of debt in the Sunshine State, in which he argues the challenge of cutting Queensland Government debt has been ignored by both sides … Continue reading →

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Risk of dubious expenditures under Royalties for the Regions

Posted on March 6, 2012 by Gene Tunny

I’ve found it odd that both the Government and Opposition have made election commitments to regional pork-barreling funds that have names based on Western Australia’s Royalties for Regions program. Today’s Australian reports: ANNA Bligh has denied that her $300 million … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget | 2 Comments

Sovereign Wealth Fund not a priority

Posted on February 29, 2012 by Gene Tunny

Former ANU economics professor and now Federal Labor MP Andrew Leigh spoke yesterday on the arguments for and against a Sovereign Wealth Fund for Australia (Wrong time for a Sovereign Wealth Fund). Andrew concluded: …in the current economic environment it … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget | 1 Comment

Qld much more costly to run than other States

Posted on February 25, 2012 by Gene Tunny

The Commonwealth Grants Commission announced yesterday that Queensland’s share of GST revenue will increase from around 19% in 2011-12 to 20% in 2012-13, largely reflecting increased costs due to natural disasters (see 2012 Update Report). In addition to its update … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget, Cyclones, Floods, Tax | Leave a comment

Even closer economic relations with New Zealand?

Posted on February 15, 2012 by Gene Tunny

As the world’s most remote advanced economy, and with limited resources and low visibility in international financial markets, New Zealand would see benefits in closer integration with Australia, which the two countries’ Productivity Commissions have just been commissioned to explore. … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget, Macroeconomy, Migration | Leave a comment

Community sector pay rise will hit the Qld budget

Posted on February 2, 2012 by Gene Tunny

Judith Sloan has a fantastic column in the Australian today on yesterday’s Fair Work Australia decision to grant large pay rises to social and community services (SACS) workers, in which she notes the budgetary costs to State Governments: Another unsavoury … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget, Labour market | 1 Comment