Category Archives: Uncategorized

Surprisingly good jobs data shows economy’s resilience

Posted on December 11, 2015 by Gene Tunny

I am quoted in today’s Courier-Mail regarding yesterday’s surprisingly good jobs data published by the ABS (e.g. see chart above): In a sign the state is working through the mining downturn, there have been 50,800 jobs added since the Palaszczuk … Continue reading →

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

Terminating KSD contract probably provides a better return for ratepayers than proceeding

Posted on December 9, 2015 by Gene Tunny

Jim Binney returns to the topic of the controversial $650 million Kingsford Smith Drive upgrade in a new guest post. From an economic point of view, avoiding costs is akin to a benefit. In fact this is the logic that … Continue reading →

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

Australia’s Christmas Gifts – Innovation and our Global Financial Standing

Posted on December 9, 2015 by Gene Tunny

Thanks to Michael Willis from Effective Governance for today’s guest post. The Prime Minister’s “Innovation Statement” may or may not prove to be gold, frankincense and myrrh, a Christmas gift for our nation. But like the shepherds arriving with a … Continue reading →

Posted in Industry policy, Productivity, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Guest post on KSD upgrade features in Council debate

Posted on December 8, 2015 by Gene Tunny

Last week’s excellent guest post from Jim Binney of Mainstream Economics on the Kingsford Smith Drive upgrade attracted a lot of attention, and now it has featured in the council debate on the merits of the upgrade. A Brisbane Times … Continue reading →

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

Doubts about capabilities of public servants in contract management worldwide

Posted on December 8, 2015 by Gene Tunny

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

More transparency, but KSD upgrade still looks like a dud

Posted on December 4, 2015 by Gene Tunny

Jim Binney, Principal of Mainstream Economics and Policy, has undertaken further analysis of the proposed Kingsford Smith Drive upgrade, following up his guest post from yesterday, and I am very happy to publish his critique of the business case below. … Continue reading →

Posted in Transport, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Harper Competition Policy Review – guest post by Rod Bogaards

Posted on December 3, 2015 by Gene Tunny

The Queensland Parliament’s passage of the retrograde sugar bill that was put forward by Katter’s Australian Party is a strong sign that we should not hold much hope for sensible economic policy coming out of this hung parliament (see Brisbane … Continue reading →

Posted in Industry policy, Retail trade, Transport, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

What does the sensitivity analysis for KSD upgrade show?

Posted on December 2, 2015 by Gene Tunny

Governments and local councils would be much better off making business cases for public projects such as the $650 million Kingsford Smith Drive upgrade public before they commit to them, so they are tested by the critics and the politicians … Continue reading →

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

PC calls for partial inclusion of family home in pension means test

Posted on December 1, 2015 by Gene Tunny

Last week, Treasurer Scott Morrison warned young Australians not to expect they can rely on the age pension in the future. This was good advice, because the budgetary pressures facing the Commonwealth Government, emphasised again this week in grim forecasts … Continue reading →

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

Governments find a gentle nudge can get results

Posted on November 30, 2015 by Gene Tunny

Australians should be prepared for more nudges from government agencies encouraging us to do the right thing, similar to recent examples such as letters from the ATO urging us to pay our taxes to support our way of life, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Social policy, Tax, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments