Category Archives: Infrastructure

Transparency essential in Building Qld cost-benefit studies of infrastructure projects

Posted on March 20, 2016 by Gene Tunny

Last Thursday morning I attended an excellent breakfast seminar on infrastructure organised by the French-Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FACCI) and hosted by Holding Redlich Lawyers in their Queen St, Brisbane CBD offices. The seminar featured highly informative and … Continue reading →

Posted in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Infrastructure, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Low wages growth adds to concerns over strength of economy

Posted on February 25, 2016 by Gene Tunny

The ABS was right to identify the extraordinary nature of the December quarter wages data in the title of its media release, “2015 ends with lowest wage growth on record.” This applies at both the national level and in Queensland … Continue reading →

Posted in Infrastructure, Labour market, Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Recent quotes from QEW in Qld Parliament and the Courier-Mail

Posted on February 20, 2016 by Gene Tunny

I was very pleased to see that Rod Bogaards’s guest post last week on the lockout laws was quoted in the parliamentary debate on the laws (see p. 216 of Hansard for Wednesday, 17 February): Mr MANDER: No, it is … Continue reading →

Posted in Infrastructure, Social policy | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Challenging conditions outside SEQ

Posted on January 21, 2016 by Gene Tunny

In his recent commentary regarding strong growth in the retail sector, National Retail Association CEO Trevor Evans noted: “South East Queensland is performing strongly but performance in Queensland is being held back by issues in some areas…Some areas are living … Continue reading →

Posted in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Infrastructure, Labour market, Mackay, Macroeconomy, Mining, North Queensland, Queensland Government, Townsville, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Courier-Mail story on Qld Govt’s fiscal challenges

Posted on June 13, 2015 by Gene Tunny

I was quoted by John McCarthy in an article in today’s Courier-Mail (see image above) regarding the Queensland Government’s fiscal challenges. I’ve previously commented on the big challenge the Government has of sticking to its fiscal strategy announced at the … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget, Infrastructure, Queensland Government | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Better off allocating all lease proceeds to debt reduction

Posted on January 12, 2015 by Gene Tunny

John Quiggin’s interesting new paper on the budgetary impact of asset leases, reported in the Brisbane Times today (Strong Choices will have ‘adverse impact’), correctly points out the adverse budgetary impact of the Queensland Government allocating around one-third of asset … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget, Infrastructure, Queensland Government | Tagged , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Time for Qld Govt to reconsider $5bn BaT Tunnel – my submission to the EIS process

Posted on October 13, 2014 by Gene Tunny

It’s now time for the Queensland Government to consider public submissions on the underground Bus and Train (BaT) tunnel project, after the consultation period on the Environmental Impact Statement closed today. I took the opportunity to make a submission, extending … Continue reading →

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

Big increase in Govt infrastructure spending in election lead up

Posted on September 4, 2014 by Gene Tunny

After a couple of years of spending cuts that have contributed to Queensland’s economic sluggishness, Queensland Government infrastructure spending appears to be on the rise in the lead up to the election (see chart below based on the June quarter … Continue reading →

Posted in Infrastructure, Queensland Government | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Productivity and Privatisation – panel discussion at Griffith University, Southbank

Posted on July 23, 2014 by Gene Tunny

I was delighted to speak alongside productivity expert Dean Parham at a Griffith University panel discussion earlier tonight on productivity and privatisation. Thanks to Alex Robson of Griffith for organising the excellent, well-attended event. My prepared remarks are below. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Infrastructure, Queensland Government | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Unclear whether Qld Govt will have evidence needed to win asset sales debate

Posted on July 22, 2014 by Gene Tunny

The Queensland Government is right to have begun advertising for advisers on asset sales, to ensure that assets such as CS Energy and Stanwell are sold in a timely fashion after the next election (Government advertises for asset sales advisors). The … Continue reading →

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