Category Archives: Uncategorized

Subsidised blockbusters like Aquaman crowding out local film productions

Posted on May 16, 2017 by Gene Tunny

There is new anecdotal evidence from film industry insiders that subsidised blockbusters such as Aquaman, currently filming on the Gold Coast, are not delivering the economic benefits they allegedly deliver. International film productions on the GC have benefited from federal … Continue reading →

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Great work BDO, which had the best Budget summary (and a highly entertaining breakfast)

Posted on May 14, 2017 by Gene Tunny

Leading accounting firm BDO consistently produces the best federal Budget summary, and this year’s did not let them down. The sub-title of the 2017 Federal Budget summary is: A quick sprint to the finish line for housing affordability, but still … Continue reading →

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Queensland Parliament Question Time featuring my Cross River Rail post

Posted on May 11, 2017 by Gene Tunny

Thanks to local citizen journalist David Marler, @Qldaah, for his tweet yesterday afternoon which alerted me to the Question Time debate on Cross River Rail in the Queensland Parliament, in which my post from yesterday morning was quoted a few … Continue reading →

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Cross River Rail Budget snub unsurprising given weak business case – will QIC now step in?

Posted on May 10, 2017 by Gene Tunny

Last night’s federal Budget offered some positive news for Queenslanders, such as a commitment to the Melbourne-to-Brisbane Inland Rail project ($8.4 billion) and Bruce Highway upgrades ($844 million), but disappointed some by not providing funding for the State Government’s priority … Continue reading →

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Surge in overseas exports has given Qld a rare trade surplus

Posted on May 5, 2017 by Gene Tunny

Queensland Treasury’s December quarter State Accounts estimates released earlier this week were encouraging, with gross state product (GSP) growth recorded at 0.9 percent for the quarter and 3.4 percent through-the-year, which are very respectable growth rates, particularly with population growth … Continue reading →

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2017-18 Federal Budget Wish List – guest post from Nick Behrens

Posted on May 2, 2017 by Gene Tunny

I am delighted to publish this guest post on the upcoming federal budget from Nick Behrens, Director at Queensland Economic Advocacy Solutions. GT 2017-18 Federal Budget Wish List by Nick Behrens According to business groups the 2017-18 Federal Budget should … Continue reading →

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LSE’s Stephen Machin to deliver public policy evaluation Winter school at O’Reilly’s, Gold Coast

Posted on April 27, 2017 by Gene Tunny

Economists will often caution that correlation does not necessarily imply causation, or that causation may not run the way you expect. So, for example, the negative correlation between educational attainment and crime, that more educated people are less likely to … Continue reading →

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Courier-Mail’s public service wages-budget threat story based on Joe Branigan’s QEW guest post

Posted on April 26, 2017 by Gene Tunny

Well done to Joe Branigan on having his QEW guest post from last week, “Moody Blues”, quoted by the Courier-Mail’s Steven Wardill today (Qld Budget 2017: Public service wages threaten bottom line): THE cash-strapped State Government will have to impose … Continue reading →

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Interview with ABC Radio’s Steve Austin on “The time Australia’s Treasury almost ran out of money”

Posted on April 24, 2017 by Gene Tunny

I had a nice chat with 612 ABC Brisbane’s Steve Austin last Friday morning regarding my time in the Australian Treasury, particularly during the financial crisis in 2008-09, and focusing on what he described as: The time Australia’s Treasury almost … Continue reading →

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Moody Blues – guest post by Joe Branigan

Posted on April 21, 2017 by Gene Tunny

I am delighted to publish a guest post by my old friend and former Treasury colleague Joe Branigan on the recent upgrade to the outlook for Queensland’s credit rating from Moody’s. GT Moody Blues by Joe Branigan Moody’s Investor Services … Continue reading →

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