Category Archives: Macroeconomy

Big economic issues for the 2020s

Posted on January 2, 2020 by

In my latest Economics Explained episode Big economic issues for the 2020s, I discuss the major economic issues I’ve been thinking about lately: the secular stagnation hypothesis, digital disruption and surveillance capitalism, and climate change. Use these timestamps to jump … Continue reading →

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Qld private sector spending has been falling while government has continued to grow

Posted on December 9, 2019 by

In Queensland, our over-reliance on the public sector continues, according to the September quarter National Accounts figures from the ABS, which have reinforced concerns about the strength of the national economy and various state economies, including Queensland’s. The National Accounts … Continue reading →

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Overly optimistic reactions to discouraging GDP data

Posted on December 4, 2019 by

The RBA and the Government must be happy the media is accepting the Bank’s “gentle turning point” view of the Australian economy (e.g. see the AFR’s ‘Back on track’: GDP lifts to 1.7pc), but I can’t see how the September … Continue reading →

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Lowest confidence in six years – not a happy Friday in Qld

Posted on September 27, 2019 by

Earlier this year I encountered some resistance at various presentations I gave on the gloomy outlook for the Queensland economy, but I suspect I wouldn’t get much push back now. Today, the Courier-Mail is reporting on its latest YouGov poll results: CONFIDENCE … Continue reading →

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Federal & state spending propping up national & state economies

Posted on September 4, 2019 by

I feel sorry for Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, who has the duty of talking up the economy regardless of what the National Accounts data are saying. As you’re no doubt aware by now, the June quarter 2019 National Accounts published by … Continue reading →

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Qld private sector CAPEX is disappointing – CCIQ’s Dan Petrie is spot on in today’s Courier-Mail

Posted on August 30, 2019 by

Today’s Courier-Mail reports some punchy comments from CCIQ spokesman Dan Petrie regarding the news that Queensland has the highest number of bankruptcies in Australia: CCIQ spokesman Dan Petrie said the level of private sector investment in the state had fallen … Continue reading →

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Qld construction activity 16% lower than in June quarter last year

Posted on August 28, 2019 by

Back in February, I depressed several hundred people in the construction and property sectors who heard me speak about the economic outlook at various events around Brisbane (e.g. Qld: hot or not?). It was reasonably clear from building approvals and … Continue reading →

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