Category Archives: Mining

ANU’s Ben Phillips quantifies the real per capita earnings declines in Qld and WA post-mining boom

Posted on July 12, 2016 by Gene Tunny

ANU Associate Professor Ben Phillips, who was in the same UQ Economics Honours class as me, has released an excellent note Trends in Household Living Standards in Australia: 1990 to 2016, which shows significant declines in real per capita earnings … Continue reading →

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Heavy construction decline has been greater in Qld than in WA

Posted on June 30, 2016 by Gene Tunny

As I have discussed previously, relatively weak economic conditions in several Queensland regions, including Townsville and the outback, have been partly due to the mining downturn (see my post from last Saturday). At the same time as capital expenditure on … Continue reading →

Posted in Macroeconomy, Mining, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Stark difference in unemployment rates between resources regions and rest of Qld

Posted on June 26, 2016 by Gene Tunny

The Queensland branch of the Economic Society of Australia, of which I am the Secretary, was fortunate last Tuesday to host a presentation by Queensland Treasury official Greg Uptin on the economic forecasts underpinning the 2016-17 Queensland Budget. Greg gave … Continue reading →

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FACCI thriving in time of greater French-Australian economic cooperation

Posted on May 11, 2016 by Gene Tunny

The recent awarding of the $50 billion submarine contract to French firm DCNS was greeted enthusiastically by members of the French-Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FACCI), which is doing terrific things around town and running some excellent events. For … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Mining, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Could we cope with two Federal Budgets in one year?

Posted on May 6, 2016 by Gene Tunny

Michael Roche, QRC CEO, and I at Jade Buddha for the Resources Roundup At the QRC Resources Roundup at Jade Buddha, Brisbane CBD on Wednesday afternoon, after I provided my thoughts on the 2016-17 Budget, I was asked whether there … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget, Mining, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 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

QRC right about problem with royalties – does it now support a resource rent tax?

Posted on February 9, 2016 by Gene Tunny

The new State of the Sector report from the Queensland Resources Council confirms the struggling position of the mining sector, and it must have the Queensland Treasury considering further royalties revenue write downs. It also makes me wonder whether the … Continue reading →

Posted in Mining, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

Challenging conditions outside SEQ

Posted on January 21, 2016 by Gene Tunny

In his recent commentary regarding strong growth in the retail sector, National Retail Association CEO Trevor Evans noted: “South East Queensland is performing strongly but performance in Queensland is being held back by issues in some areas…Some areas are living … Continue reading →

Posted in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Infrastructure, Labour market, Mackay, Macroeconomy, Mining, North Queensland, Queensland Government, Townsville, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Building construction rebounded in September quarter, but still below previous highs

Posted on November 26, 2015 by Gene Tunny

All the cranes on the Brisbane skyline, from the Valley and Newstead, to West End, Milton and Toowong, might suggest there is a building boom underway. Certainly activity is increasing in the building industry. Building construction work done in Queensland … Continue reading →

Posted in Housing, Mining, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Economics and environmental law seminar timely given debate over CSG & Galilee

Posted on November 10, 2015 by Gene Tunny

One of the new words we have heard in recent years is “lawfare”, the use of the law as a weapon of war. In Australia, it has been alleged that environmental groups such as the Australian Conservation Foundation and the … Continue reading →

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