Category Archives: Uncategorized

Valuing the Australian Census – cross-posted at Club Troppo

Posted on June 13, 2019 by

One of the exciting projects I’m working on is a valuation of the Australian Census for the ABS with my Lateral Economics’ colleagues Nicholas Gruen and Matt Balmford. Our first project-related post is below. Here’s an introductory message from Nicholas: … Continue reading →

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Qld Budget interviews with ABC’s Steve Austin & 4BC’s Ross Greenwood

Posted on June 11, 2019 by

While chatting with 612 ABC Brisbane’s Steve Austin and fellow interviewee Nick Behrens this afternoon, I almost chuckled when Steve asked me whether this Queensland state budget, in which total debt is projected to head toward $90 billion by 2022-23, … Continue reading →

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Qld’s exports to China doubled in less than 2½ years

Posted on June 10, 2019 by

There was some excellent commentary on the US’s and Australia’s relationships with China on ABC Radio National over the weekend which I can highly recommend: FT’s Martin Wolf interview: Is the US wrong on the trade war? on Saturday Extra … Continue reading →

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International education boom – new ABS estimates

Posted on June 7, 2019 by

My office is in the Johnson Hotel, in the middle of the international education precinct around Boundary St, Spring Hill, so I’m very conscious of the international education boom we are experiencing. Even so, I was stunned by newly released … Continue reading →

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Good & bad news on Qld economy – avoids worst effects of property bust, but remains reliant on gov’t spending

Posted on June 6, 2019 by

Queensland state and local general government capital expenditures increased 13% in March quarter, rising to $2.79 billion, helping Queensland to record 0.5% growth in State Final Demand, the second highest growth rate in Australia (second to Tasmania with 0.7%). Part … Continue reading →

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Pro Bono Econos UQ reading list

Posted on June 4, 2019 by

Last Friday, I was a panelist at a Pro Bono Econos UQ event on consulting. In my remarks, I mentioned a bunch of resources I thought would be helpful for students, and subsequently several of the students who attended have … Continue reading →

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City of Brisbane Investment Corporation should be shut down

Posted on May 29, 2019 by

In a victory for transparency, Brisbane ABC reporter Tim Swanston has finally got hold of PwC’s scathing review of Brisbane City Council’s City of Brisbane Investment Corporation, its so-called future fund. I recall discussing the rumoured existence of a damning … Continue reading →

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