Category Archives: Cairns

Move public servants to regions only if cost-effective

Posted on May 18, 2011 by Gene Tunny

There is a major risk that Opposition Leader Campbell Newman’s decentralisation plan to move Queensland public servants out of Brisbane CBD and into the regions – particularly Cairns, Maryborough, and Gympie – would eventually result in an overweight and inefficient … Continue reading →

Posted in Brisbane, Cairns, Queensland Government | 4 Comments

Cairns, a tropical Bohemia?

Posted on February 10, 2011 by Gene Tunny

Cairns is proving attractive to bohemians. The Cairns Post reports in State of The Art: Where do tired, city-dwelling rock stars head to when in need of dramatic scenery and to revive their spirits? Cairns, of course. How’s this for a … Continue reading →

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We’re living the worst case scenario

Posted on February 2, 2011 by Gene Tunny

Cyclone Yasi is truly frightening and is certain to claim lives and inflict several more billions of dollars of damage to the already battered Queensland economy. Clearly it will disrupt the tourism sector, which is so vital to North Queensland’s economy, … Continue reading →

Posted in Agriculture, Cairns, Townsville | Leave a comment

Cairns only just starting to recover from economic slump

Posted on February 1, 2011 by Gene Tunny

Queensland’s cruel Summer continues with news that Cairns is at threat from the 500 km-wide monster Cyclone Yasi: Thousands to be evacuated as Cairns is warned of flooding from powerful Cyclone Yasi The Courier-Mail has produced a useful and frightening … Continue reading →

Posted in Cairns, Floods | Leave a comment

Has paid parental leave affected birth numbers in Cairns?

Posted on January 30, 2011 by Gene Tunny

In December last year, Commonwealth Families Minister Jenny Macklin warned obstetricians not to help women delay births so they are eligible for the new Paid Parental Leave scheme, which came into effect on 1 January. Judging by new statistics from … Continue reading →

Posted in Cairns, Population | Leave a comment

Mackay club almost runs out of beer, but there’s plenty further north

Posted on January 9, 2011 by Gene Tunny

In Mackay last week, the biblical Queensland floods almost brought to life Slim Dusty’s dystopian vision of a “pub with no beer”.  The Mackay Daily Mercury reported yesterday (Stocks run low in city): IT could have been “the pub with … Continue reading →

Posted in Cairns, Floods, Mackay | Leave a comment

Is Cairns (not Townsville) now going to be the second capital?

Posted on September 22, 2010 by Gene Tunny

Cairns’s economy is in trouble, with tourism way down and unemployment at 11-12%.  It’s understandable therefore the Government would consider a range of ideas to boost its economy.  The Government’s latest idea, as reported in the Cairns Post, is to … Continue reading →

Posted in Cairns | 2 Comments

Cairns still struggling, but the future looks brighter

Posted on August 25, 2010 by Gene Tunny

While the broader Queensland economy has strengthened in the wake of the financial crisis, Cairns is still struggling, with an unemployment rate of over 10% compared with the Queensland average rate of around 5.5%.  Nonetheless, Cairns businesses are excited about … Continue reading →

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