Category Archives: Uncategorized

Given the pretty ordinary performance of governments across Australia in recent years (e.g. killer home insulation programs, loans being granted without proper approval, never-ending buck passing on our inadequate health system), you might expect some restraint among our pollies and … Continue reading →

Throughout Queensland’s history, the State Government has, at times, over-reached and intervened excessively in the economy – with one memorable example being the 90 or so State-run butcher shops which operated between 1915 and 1929 (see this heritage register entry … Continue reading →

There is a risk that plastic shopping bags will be banned nationwide in a token, feel good effort to look after the environment.  Friday’s Sydney Morning Herald (Ban on plastic bags spreads to Tasmania) reported: MOMENTUM appears to be growing … Continue reading →

This week’s sale of Port of Brisbane for $2.3 billion to a consortium including QIC (a government-owned corporation) generated a few laughs.  For example, Professor John Quiggin of Queensland University observed: Bligh and Fraser sell Port of Brisbane … to … Continue reading →

The Fairfax papers are reporting that Green groups rubbish recycling delay: Waste crusader Ian Kiernan is angered that commonwealth and state leaders keep dithering on a national “cash for cans” style recycling scheme. The Clean Up Australia Day founder is astonished … Continue reading →

Countless articles and blog entries have debated whether measures such as the National Broadband Network or Work Choices would boost the productivity of the Australian economy, which runs at around 85-90% of the US productivity level.  Despite all the analysis … Continue reading →

Former Treasurer Peter Costello raised a few eyebrows when he urged Australians to have “one for mum, one for dad and one for the country”, but his call to procreate and the Government’s baby bonus no doubt played an important … Continue reading →

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) raised the overnight cash rate 0.25% (25 basis points) today, but the Commonwealth Bank announced it would raise its mortgage rate by 0.45% (45 basis points).  This prompted a going-through-the-motions attack on the Commonwealth … Continue reading →

The British Gas Curtis Island LNG project announced yesterday by Treasurer Wayne Swan (Swan endorses British Gas project) is a big deal for Queensland, and the projected impacts are stunning (though plausible). The British Gas project is projected to generate $2.6 … Continue reading →

The Cairns business community is looking for a boost from $3 billion in infrastructure investment that is scheduled for Cairns and the surrounding region.  The Queensland Government-compiled list of infrastructure projects is dominated by Queensland and Commonwealth Government projects: Cairns … Continue reading →