Category Archives: Macroeconomy

Guest post: Why are NSW mining regions enduring the mining downturn better than Qld regions?

Posted on June 9, 2016 by Gene Tunny

Today I am delighted to publish a guest post from my NSW-based friend and fellow economist Alistair Robson.  Why are NSW mining regions enduring the mining downturn better than Qld regions? by Dr Alistair Robson Despite the Sydney-centric focus on … Continue reading →

Posted in Labour market, Macroeconomy, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Qld unemployment rate trends up and jobs trend down

Posted on May 20, 2016 by Gene Tunny

The April 2016 ABS jobs data confirm the view I have expressed for a while now that the Queensland economy is under-performing (see charts below and Treasury’s brief). While in South-East Queensland conditions appear reasonable, the regions are struggling with … Continue reading →

Posted in Labour market, Macroeconomy, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

New motor vehicle sales lower in Qld than before financial crisis

Posted on May 18, 2016 by Gene Tunny

New motor vehicle sales data for April released by the ABS yesterday support the RBA Board’s decision to cut the cash rate on Budget day earlier this month, with sales down 2.5% in April nationwide, and down 7.7% in Queensland, … Continue reading →

Posted in Macroeconomy, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Don’t miss 16 June Brisbane speech by RBA Deputy Governor Philip Lowe, the Bank’s next Governor

Posted on May 10, 2016 by Gene Tunny

At a lunchtime event at Tattersall’s Club in Brisbane yesterday, after he predicted another interest rate cut this year in either June or August, Dr Chris Caton, BT’s Chief Economist, noted that “Interest rate changes are like cockroaches.” That is, … Continue reading →

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Exciting week for economy watchers: State of the States, a possible rate cut, and the Budget

Posted on May 2, 2016 by Gene Tunny

CommSec’s latest State of the States Report is out today, and, while I think its placement of Queensland in around the middle of Australia’s States and Territories (5th out of 8) is reasonable, I have some sympathy for Queensland Treasurer … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget, Housing, Infrastructure, Macroeconomy, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

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

Qld unemployment rate appears stuck around 6%, while national rate falls

Posted on April 14, 2016 by Gene Tunny

Queensland’s under-performing economy was illustrated by March labour force data released by the ABS today. The State’s unemployment rate appears stuck around 6%, while the national unemployment rate continues its steady decline, with the seasonally adjusted national rate falling from … Continue reading →

Posted in Labour market, Macroeconomy, Mining, North Queensland, Townsville, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Go Qld is a terrific initiative from the Courier-Mail

Posted on April 13, 2016 by Gene Tunny

Regular readers will know I have been concerned about Queensland’s economic and population trends for some time now, so obviously I welcome the Courier-Mail’s #GoQld campaign which it has launched today, with the paper asking: “What ideas and projects do … Continue reading →

Posted in Macroeconomy, Migration, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments