Category Archives: Uncategorized

The cancellation of Queensland Rail’s (QR’s) Riverfire party in 2008, following an intervention by the Transport Minister, supports the case for its privatisation, Dr Doug McTaggart, CEO of QIC, argued today (for a refresher on the incident, see QR boss … Continue reading →

Not only did the miners get a win against the federal government last week, with the weakening of the Resource Super Profits Tax, but they also scored a victory against Queensland local governments.  In the Queensland Court of Appeal, Xstrata and … Continue reading →

It’s likely that federal Treasury’s push for a Resource Super Profits Tax (RSPT) was partly driven by its view that the China-driven resources boom (and miners’ super profits) would continue for a long time to come.  Indeed, the previous RSPT … Continue reading →

In an interview on Sky News’s Agenda program today, Sustainable Population Minister Tony Burke included the push to make Townsville a second capital of Queensland as an important part of dealing with Australia’s strong population growth (Burke interview transcript). It’s … Continue reading →

Today’s ABS Building Approvals figures show large declines in building approvals between April and May of 8.6% in Queensland and 6.6% across Australia.  Building approvals are generally seen as a leading indicator of construction work and economic activity more broadly, … Continue reading →

Queensland may have smashed NSW in the State of Origin for five years running, but NSW may beat us in at least one endeavour: reforming laws around scalping.  The Daily Telegraph has reported that in NSW ticket scalping could be legalised … Continue reading →

With its exquisite food and sweeping panoramic views of the Brisbane River, Matt Moran’s ARIA restaurant at Eagle St Pier is undoubtedly superb, but some diners must be shocked at paying $7.50 for a coffee after the meal.  Is ARIA simply gouging … Continue reading →

According to our Lord Mayor Campbell Newman, the Go Between Bridge promises to shave 7-10 minutes off a peak-hour trip between Brisbane’s sporting centre of Milton and its cultural centre in South Brisbane & West End.  In December last year, … Continue reading →

The big news story in Brisbane today is that Rivercity Motorway is dropping the Clem7 toll from the already discounted price of $2.95 to $2: Toll for Clem7 tunnel to drop to $2 Rivercity Motorway was hoping to charge $4.28 … Continue reading →

Queensland’s population increased by around 107,000 people in 2009, according to new ABS population data released last Thursday (this Queensland Treasury briefing note contains the relevant figures).  At the end of 2009, our population  stood at just over 4.47 million, or … Continue reading →