Category Archives: Uncategorized

Are public servants overpaid on average?

In my previous post I commented on the excessive growth of senior Queensland public service positions over the last few years. Let us consider the hypothesis that this growth was related to public servants having significant influence over their own … Continue reading

Posted in Labour market, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

My comments on excessive growth in senior public service jobs in today’s Courier-Mail

Steven Scott from the Courier-Mail has done a terrific job of revealing the huge growth in the senior echelons of the Queensland public service since the change of state government in early 2015 (see Palaszczuk Government’s massive senior public servant … Continue reading

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Titans threat to abandon Cbus confirms governments have wasted money on super stadiums

Based on the Courier-Mail report of a threat from the Gold Coast Titans to abandon the Cbus Super Stadium, over allegedly high charges imposed by Stadiums Queensland, the huge investments successive state governments have made in super stadiums (e.g. Suncorp, Cbus … Continue reading

Posted in Gold Coast, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Stadiums Qld is a financial drain

The Sunday Mail yesterday hinted the Queensland government may replace the current board of Stadiums Queensland, given that the allegedly high charges for the use of its stadiums, such as Suncorp, are causing financial issues for football clubs. I must say I … Continue reading

Posted in Industry policy, Infrastructure, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 13 Comments

South Brisbane & South Townsville top Qld in building approvals so far in 2017-18

In my last post, I considered the Queensland construction industry outlook. In today’s post, I take advantage of new data on building approvals at the small area level (ABS SA2 regions) for 2017-18 so far released by the ABS yesterday. … Continue reading

Posted in Brisbane, Housing, Townsville, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Queensland construction industry outlook

The construction industry is very important to the Queensland economy, and it employs nearly 10 percent of all workers (see Queensland Treasury’s Employment by Industry brief). One part of the broader industry, residential construction, has grown strongly in recent years, … Continue reading

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Qld economy well positioned in 2nd quarter 2018, esp. given Commonwealth Games

We are now in the second quarter of 2018, and it’s a good time to review the economic outlook for Queensland. Job vacancy data released by the ABS last Thursday were very encouraging, and suggest the current economic upswing, encompassing … Continue reading

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International education booms in southern states – Qld sector growing nicely, but can do even better

In the vicinity of my office at the Johnson on Boundary St, Spring Hill, it appears that Queensland’s international education sector is booming. During weekday lunch times, Boundary St is usually teeming with students, mostly East Asian, studying at the … Continue reading

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Huge financial sustainability challenges for Qld’s remote Indigenous councils

Queensland’s remote Indigenous councils are facing huge financial sustainability challenges, with the councils typically running large operating deficits, averaging nearly 20 percent of revenue, and running down their asset base to survive (see figure below), according to the Queensland Audit … Continue reading

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4BC Dora the Explorer interview & ABC News coverage of my CBIC analysis

Dora the Explorer interview with Ben Davis on 4BC Yesterday afternoon I had an enjoyable chat with Ben Davis on his 4BC wireless show Brisbane Live regarding the state government’s use of taxpayers’ money to lure the live action Dora … Continue reading

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