Category Archives: North Queensland

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

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

Courier-Mail opinion piece on daylight saving

Posted on October 6, 2015 by Gene Tunny

I have an opinion piece on daylight saving published in today’s Courier-Mail, arguing it is time for a new trial of summer time in Queensland, at least for South-East Queensland, as the economic costs (including the opportunity cost of lost … Continue reading →

Posted in Brisbane, North Queensland, Queensland Government | Tagged , , | 12 Comments

High insurance costs likely to impede development of Northern Australia

Posted on September 8, 2014 by Gene Tunny

Since Cyclone Yasi, insurance premiums have soared in North Queensland as insurance companies have reassessed the risks of insuring properties in the region. Just how much premiums have increased is illustrated by some figures provided to the Joint Select Committee … Continue reading →

Posted in Cairns, North Queensland, Townsville | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Palmer plan for State split could make sense if part of wider Govt reform

Posted on August 14, 2014 by Gene Tunny

The Palmer United Party’s plan to split Queensland by creating a new State of North Queensland (Palmer MP calls for State split) is worthy of further discussion, particularly if consideration is given to a potentially wider, more valuable reform: the abolition … Continue reading →

Posted in North Queensland | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Paul Romer backs Galt’s Gulch for Northern Australia

Posted on July 1, 2014 by Gene Tunny

In her 1957 novel Atlas Shrugged, Ayn Rand imagined a libertarian community, Galt’s Gulch in Colorado, in which capitalists were free to live unconstrained by Government regulations and didn’t have to pay taxes to support the “moochers.” One of the … Continue reading →

Posted in North Queensland | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Mabo’s legacy of lasting importance to Torres Strait

Posted on June 5, 2014 by Gene Tunny

The Tuesday that has just passed, the 3rd of June, was Mabo day. To commemorate Mabo day, the Torres Strait Regional Authority has held its monthly Board meeting this week on Murray Island (known to traditional inhabitants as Mer Island), … Continue reading →

Posted in North Queensland, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Economic impact of natural disasters

Posted on April 14, 2014 by Gene Tunny

Having grown up in Townsville, I know very well that North Queenslanders are a resilient bunch and will recover quickly from the impacts of Cyclone Ita, although, as we’ve seen, the immediate impacts on some families and communities have been … Continue reading →

Posted in Cyclones, North Queensland | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Growing Chinese visitor numbers great news for Qld tourism

Posted on April 8, 2014 by Gene Tunny

Mission Beach blogger Pete Faulkner has been closely following Chinese visitor numbers, given that many tourism operators, especially in the Far North, are hopeful that Chinese tourism will revive their industry. Regarding yesterday’s new overseas arrivals and departures data from … Continue reading →

Posted in Cairns, North Queensland, Tourism | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Lower taxes across Australia preferable to special treatment for NQ

Posted on March 25, 2014 by Gene Tunny

The Townsville Chamber of Commerce has called for a revamp of current tax arrangements for North Queensland. The Chamber is concerned the existing Zone Tax Offset has been eroded in value by inflation and is being claimed by fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) workers who … Continue reading →

Posted in North Queensland | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments