Category Archives: Queensland Government

Tuesday’s Jobs Growth Summit a great opportunity to push for better economic policies

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

Long-run benefits of privatisation are undeniable

Last Friday, in an opinion piece in the Courier-Mail (see image above) that was consistent with its current “Go Queensland” campaign, I re-entered the debate on privatisation: Privatisation, legalising Uber and deregulating trading hours are first steps towards boosting the … Continue reading

Posted in Energy, Infrastructure, Productivity, Queensland Government, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Qld second biggest winner from GST redistribution

Queensland is the second biggest winner from the carve up of GST revenue that is dictated by the Commonwealth Grants Commission. In 2016-17, Queensland is to receive $2.1 billion more than we would if the GST revenue, which is collected … Continue reading

Posted in Budget, Queensland Government, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Guest post from Joe Branigan on fixed four-year terms

I am delighted to publish this guest post on the fixed four-year terms referendum in Queensland from my old friend and former Treasury colleague Joe Branigan. These are Joe’s views and should not necessarily be attributed to me. GT The … Continue reading

Posted in Queensland Government, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Regional rescue packages have a poor record

The Sunday Mail reported this morning that Queensland Federal Government MPs are “at odds over federal relief funding for Queensland” in response to the economic downturn in much of the State outside SEQ (e.g. note the large job losses in … Continue reading

Posted in Labour market, Mackay, Macroeconomy, Queensland Government, Townsville, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Challenging conditions outside SEQ

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

Mackay asks why is Townsville getting special treatment?

Yesterday afternoon I spoke with Elly Bradfield on ABC Radio’s Statewide Drive program about Queensland Nickel entering administration and the likely economic fallout. I reiterated the points I made in this blog yesterday that this could be a big economic … Continue reading

Posted in Mackay, Queensland Government, Townsville, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Qld currency was model for Australian currency

Last month, former UQ Economics lecturer Dr Jon Stanford published a very interesting paper in the Queensland History Journal titled Queensland’s Own Money, 1893-1910: Model for the Australian Note Issue (paywalled unfortunately). Jon discusses the financial crisis of the early … Continue reading

Posted in Queensland Government, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Doubts about capabilities of public servants in contract management worldwide

The Economist last week reported on British Chancellor George Osborne’s ambitious plan to remake the British Government, and it observed (in U-turns and new turns): “By 2020 departments will be too cash-strapped to run things; public administration will be far … Continue reading

Posted in Productivity, Queensland Government, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Courier-Mail opinion piece on daylight saving

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