Category Archives: Infrastructure

Qld Treasury needs to explain logic of asset sales much more clearly

Posted on April 14, 2014 by Gene Tunny

In her terrific book On Speaking Well, former Presidential Speech Writer Peggy Noonan argues convincingly that people ultimately are moved by logic, and you shouldn’t underestimate the intelligence of your audience. She writes: A good case well argued and well … Continue reading →

Posted in Infrastructure, Macroeconomy, Queensland Government, Transport | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Congestion charges part of solution to costly congestion

Posted on November 4, 2013 by Gene Tunny

Infrastructure Partnerships Australia appears to make some good points in its lobbying of the Abbott Government on the need for congestion charges to help alleviate traffic congestion and defer or avoid the need to augment transport infrastructure, as reported in … Continue reading →

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

Maybe the electricity network hasn’t been gold plated

Posted on December 4, 2012 by Gene Tunny

Prime Minister Julia Gillard might find it hard to convince South East Queenslanders that the electricity network has been gold plated if we see more power outages such as occurred at Paddington in Brisbane this afternoon around 5.20pm in response … Continue reading →

Posted in Brisbane, Infrastructure | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Recent studies show potentially large savings in power bills

Posted on December 3, 2012 by Gene Tunny

Prime Minister Julia Gillard is right to draw attention to rising electricity prices and ask whether we can improve the regulation of our electricity networks, with a view to promoting cheaper ways of guaranteeing reliable power supplies. The Queensland Independent … Continue reading →

Posted in Infrastructure | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Business Council bemoans high cost of regulation

Posted on June 7, 2012 by Gene Tunny

The new Business Council of Australia (BCA) report released today Pipeline or Pipe Dream? presents interesting data on the high cost of delivering investment projects in Australia and comments that this could threaten future investment, exports and employment. Some of … Continue reading →

Posted in Infrastructure | Leave a comment

Commonwealth support for Cross River Rail a legacy of Rudd’s nation building agenda

Posted on May 17, 2012 by Gene Tunny

This comment from Infrastructure Australia official Michael Deegan on the proposed Cross River Rail project is a concern (reported in the Brisbane Times today): “We think it will be a transformational project for Brisbane and that’s a very important part … Continue reading →

Posted in Brisbane, Infrastructure, Transport | 2 Comments

Farmers miss out when Govt gives $275M handout to Holden

Posted on March 30, 2012 by Gene Tunny

There is a great opinion piece in the rural press today (available at Queensland Country Life) on “Why Holden’s crutch matters to ag.” The author Gregor Heard opines: Some tough questions have to be asked about our car manufacturers and … Continue reading →

Posted in Agriculture, Industry policy, Infrastructure | Leave a comment

Resources sector investment driving State demand

Posted on March 10, 2012 by Gene Tunny

The resources states of Queensland and WA were the heroes of the ABS National Accounts released on Wednesday, with very strong growth in State Final Demand recorded over 2011: But nationally economic growth was lacklustre, and the two-speed economy continues, … Continue reading →

Posted in Infrastructure, Macroeconomy, Mining | Leave a comment

Education Dept will need to build a lot of new classrooms

Posted on November 20, 2011 by Gene Tunny

If there is a new Campbell Newman-led Government in Queensland next year, as the polls are suggesting, it will need to assess the budgetary implications of a large increase in the number of school students, before it commits funds to … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget, Education, Infrastructure | Leave a comment

Has Brisbane City Council been skimping on maintenance?

Posted on November 16, 2011 by Gene Tunny

Following today’s report on the crumbling Story Bridge, I’m worried that Brisbane City Council may not have proper plans for managing its assets and undertaking regular maintenance. I found this fact unsettling: It is the fifth large piece of Brisbane … Continue reading →

Posted in Brisbane, Infrastructure, Transport | Leave a comment