Category Archives: Macroeconomy

If you’re sick of politics BAU, check out my Pirate Party economics podcast interview

Posted on May 11, 2022 by Gene Tunny

What does the economic policy platform of a Pirate Party look like? What does it say about intellectual property protection (i.e. copyright and patents), the Right to Repair, UBI, taxation, and business support? And what type of pirates are Pirate … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget, Industry policy, Macroeconomy, Social policy, Tax, Trade | Leave a comment

Economic update: interest rates, monetary policy, fiscal policy, and coal prices

Posted on May 7, 2022 by Gene Tunny

The election debate would benefit from a clear understanding of the factors affecting interest rates, now that the RBA has increased the cash rate from the “emergency level” of 0.1%, practically the lowest it could go, to the still extraordinarily … Continue reading →

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Unemployment and state budgets update

Posted on April 13, 2022 by Gene Tunny

On Monday, I appeared on the 612 ABC Brisbane Radio Drive program (from 2:09:00) to chat with Kelly Higgins-Devine about how we estimate the unemployment rate, a matter of interest that day obviously due to the Opposition Leader being unable … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget, Labour market, Macroeconomy | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Qld the fastest growing state with Southerners flocking here: 41k net migration gain in 12 months to Sep-21

Posted on March 18, 2022 by Gene Tunny

At nearly 41,000 people in the twelve months to 30 September 2021, net interstate migration to Queensland is the highest it’s been since the early 2000s, according to the ABS’s latest population estimates (see chart below). Queensland is the fastest … Continue reading →

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Thriving, a new book by Wayne Visser, Cambridge pracademic and sustainability expert – my latest podcast episode

Posted on March 14, 2022 by Gene Tunny

Wayne Visser, of the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership and Antwerp Management School, has written a thoughtful and informative new book Thriving: The Breakthrough Movement to Regenerate Nature, Society, and the Economy. Wayne is reassuringly optimistic about the future of … Continue reading →

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Housing lending remains at super high levels

Posted on March 1, 2022 by Gene Tunny

First, my thoughts go out to all those affected by the recent flooding in Queensland and northern NSW. The intensity of the rainfall was extraordinary – in Brisbane, 80% of a full year’s rain in a few days reportedly. While, … Continue reading →

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Economic update and interest rate discussion at Brisbane Club next Wednesday

Posted on February 17, 2022 by Gene Tunny

Australian Treasury Secretary Steven Kennedy nicely summarised the economic outlook in his Opening statement to the Parliament’s Economics Legislation Committee yesterday: Nonetheless, while the disruption caused by Omicron has been significant, its overall economic impact is likely to be less … Continue reading →

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Inflation & interest rates chat with 4BC’s Scott Emerson

Posted on January 26, 2022 by Gene Tunny

Yesterday afternoon I had a quick chat with Scott Emerson on his 4BC Drive program about the accelerating CPI inflation revealed by the ABS yesterday (see chart above) and what it means for interest rates, with bank chief economists now … Continue reading →

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Shadow lockdown and supply-chain crisis – 9.30am Qld time livestream

Posted on January 21, 2022 by Gene Tunny

I’m going live at 9.30am Queensland time this morning (Friday 21/1/22) to discuss the big economic issues of the week, particularly: Australia’s strong pre-omicron labour force figures from the ABS for December, although they weren’t much comfort given the current … Continue reading →

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Let’s hope omicron is just a short, sharp shock

Posted on January 10, 2022 by Gene Tunny

Things have worsened quickly with Queensland’s omicron outbreak, and we really hope it is just a “short, sharp” outbreak as many health experts are predicting. The Brisbane Times has reported “University of Sydney infectious diseases expert Robert Booy also forecast … Continue reading →

Posted in Macroeconomy, Retail trade | Tagged , , | 1 Comment