Category Archives: Uncategorized

Fair Share is overly pessimistic and interventionist, but still worth reading

Posted on March 18, 2018 by Gene Tunny

Last Wednesday night I was fortunate to attend the Fair Share book launch at Brisbane’s historic Customs House. Unlike many book launches it was widely reported (e.g. this SMH article), as the book was launched by former Prime Minister Paul … Continue reading →

Posted in Labour market, Macroeconomy, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Will 2018 be the year for Airbnb certainty in strata? Guest post by Stephen Thornton

Posted on March 12, 2018 by Gene Tunny

Anyone living in an apartment block has probably noticed the increasing numbers of strangers with rolling suitcases who are obviously staying in Airbnb accommodation. Living in a Toowong apartment tower, I am frequently having to help short-term visitors find their … Continue reading →

Posted in Housing, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

City of Brisbane Investment Corporation’s peculiar investment philosophy

Posted on March 6, 2018 by Gene Tunny

I have previously been critical of the City of Brisbane Investment Corporation (CBIC), which is owned by the Brisbane City Council, but is becoming a significant property investor and developer, raising all sorts of questions about the risk it is … Continue reading →

Posted in Brisbane, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

On Qld’s relative lack of big private sector employers

Posted on March 1, 2018 by Gene Tunny

Business registrations data published by the ABS reveal Queensland has disproportionately fewer major private sector employers (with 200+ employees) than southern states. And the gap is particularly disproportionate in several sectors, including information media & telecommunications, professional, scientific & technical … Continue reading →

Posted in Industry policy, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Should Australia cut the company tax rate?

Posted on February 27, 2018 by Gene Tunny

Pauline Hanson’s opinion piece in yesterday’s Australian arguing against the Turnbull Government’s planned company tax cut (and in favour of state government payroll tax cuts instead) may well mean the end for the Turnbull Government’s planned cut. Hanson’s article highlights … Continue reading →

Posted in Tax, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Business counts data show rise of Uber and start ups

Posted on February 22, 2018 by Gene Tunny

Yesterday afternoon, on his 612 ABC Brisbane drive time show (from 1:42:50), Steve Austin interviewed my colleague QEAS Director Nick Behrens on the still relatively weak wages growth figures released yesterday. Nick also covered more positive news regarding the state … Continue reading →

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

Comments on BrewDog being lured to Brisbane in the Broadsheet

Posted on February 21, 2018 by Gene Tunny

I was interviewed by Matt Kirkegaard, beer educator and commentator, for his latest article in the Broadsheet: Is Scottish Superstar BrewDog’s Arrival Good for Brisbane’s Brewing Scene? The debate over whether the Queensland Government should have offered financial incentives to … Continue reading →

Posted in Industry policy, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Disproportionate numbers of Newstart/Youth Allowance recipients in Far North Qld, Wide Bay-Burnett & Logan

Posted on February 20, 2018 by Gene Tunny

Pete Faulkner’s post Job Seeker data shows little change for Cairns alerted me to the latest data on recipients of Newstart and Youth Allowance (for young job seekers) from the Commonwealth Department of Social Services. These data highlight the ongoing … Continue reading →

Posted in Labour market, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Value Capture: Making Sense of Policy Options – guest post by Brad Rogers

Posted on February 12, 2018 by Gene Tunny

I am delighted to publish this guest post from Brad Rogers, Director of DeltaPearl Partners, on value capture, the topic of a conference his firm will run in Canberra in July. Views expressed are Brad’s and should not necessarily be … Continue reading →

Posted in Infrastructure, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Grant Thornton argues Qld’s gold royalty rate is uncompetitive

Posted on February 7, 2018 by Gene Tunny

Yesterday, at the Resources Discussion Lunch held at the Catchment Brewing Co., West End, attendees reflected on the large financial markets correction that had just occurred, but remained optimistic about the global economy. Resources sector veteran Rob Murdoch was an … Continue reading →

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