Category Archives: IR

Thoughts on the border decision and QPC’s productivity reform livestream

Posted on November 24, 2020 by Gene Tunny

First, better late than never I suppose, so I should be thankful the Queensland Government, on 1 December, will finally open up the state to Sydneysiders and let us travel to Sydney without having to endure hotel quarantine when we … Continue reading →

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Thoughts on the New Normal – latest podcast episode

Posted on August 27, 2020 by Gene Tunny

Regarding a new normal in a post-COVID world, in the June 2020 issue of Monocle magazine, the Editor Tyler Brule wrote: We don’t want a heavy handed ‘new normal.’ We want people to act responsibly but we also want families, … Continue reading →

Posted in Health, IR, Labour market, Macroeconomy, Retail trade, Tourism, Transport | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Low wages growth & the drop in household saving – 612 ABC Brisbane panel discussion

Posted on September 8, 2018 by Gene Tunny

Low wages growth and the drop in household saving recorded in the June quarter National Accounts were considered in a panel discussion I participated in on Emma Griffiths’s 612 ABC Brisbane Focus program yesterday morning, which you can listen to … Continue reading →

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Andrew Leigh’s Choosing Openness – highly recommended reading

Posted on October 6, 2017 by Gene Tunny

On Wednesday evening, at the Queensland College of Art at South Brisbane, I attended the Brisbane launch of Australian Shadow Assistant Treasurer Andrew Leigh’s new book Choosing Openness: Why global engagement is best for Australia. It is a Lowy Institute … Continue reading →

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PC ennui?

Posted on November 8, 2016 by Gene Tunny

Based on its discussion paper for its five year productivity review, the Productivity Commission appears to be suffering from ennui or world weariness. Consider this passage, which the PC has published in bold italics (on p. 17): “The Commission is … Continue reading →

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After Jobs Growth Summit, business groups need to lobby hard for better policies

Posted on April 26, 2016 by Gene Tunny

At today’s Queensland Jobs Growth Summit at Parliament House in Brisbane, I did my best to argue for good economic policy. After Deputy Premier Jackie Trad’s speech, I asked her whether the Government would consider fast-tracking the review of taxi … Continue reading →

Posted in IR, Labour market, Macroeconomy, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Guest post from Joe Branigan: A quick refresher course in how to create jobs

Posted on April 26, 2016 by Gene Tunny

I am delighted to publish this guest post from my friend and former Treasury colleague Joe Branigan, who is also attending today’s Jobs Growth Summit at Parliament House, Brisbane (see my previous post Jobs Growth Summit a great opportunity to … Continue reading →

Posted in Infrastructure, IR, Labour market, Macroeconomy, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Tuesday’s Jobs Growth Summit a great opportunity to push for better economic policies

Posted on April 24, 2016 by Gene Tunny

On Tuesday, I will be attending the Queensland Jobs Growth Summit at Parliament House, which is being hosted by UQ’s School of Economics (my occasional employer) and the Australia Institute. My business Adept Economics is one of several Summit sponsors. … Continue reading →

Posted in IR, Labour market, Macroeconomy, Queensland Government, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Speech to University of the Third Age Redlands on the Australian Economy

Posted on August 11, 2014 by Gene Tunny

This morning I addressed the University of the Third Age Redlands at the Donald Simpson Centre, Cleveland on the topic of The Australian Economy: Where we’ve come from, where we’re going. My prepared remarks are reproduced below. I varied the … Continue reading →

Posted in Industry policy, IR, Labour market, Macroeconomy, Migration, Mining, Population, Tax, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

IR reform should have same priority as tax reform

Posted on July 30, 2014 by Gene Tunny

Jessica Irvine has a great piece in the News Limited media today on how Tony Abbott must act now to reverse Australia’s economic demise. I agree with her that reforming the tax system is extremely important, but I’m surprised she … Continue reading →

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