Tag Archives: abs

Recent quotes from QEW in Qld Parliament and the Courier-Mail

I was very pleased to see that Rod Bogaards’s guest post last week on the lockout laws was quoted in the parliamentary debate on the laws (see p. 216 of Hansard for Wednesday, 17 February): Mr MANDER: No, it is … Continue reading

Posted in Infrastructure, Social policy | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Unemployment data confirm Qld economy still in soft patch

Regular readers will know that I have been a bit skeptical about the State Government’s overly optimistic statements regarding the Queensland economy (e.g. see yesterday’s post). The economy has certainly been resilient at the end of the mining boom, but … Continue reading

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

Economic pain continues for Townsville

With the nickel refinery at Yabulu outside Townsville now in administration, following the sacking of hundreds of workers last week, Townsville residents are right to be very concerned about the economic impact of a possible refinery shutdown, and the loss … Continue reading

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

Penalty rates reform should be considered as way to reduce youth unemployment

New labour force data from the ABS yesterday showed that Queensland ended 2015 with solid employment growth, and with the unemployment rate falling slightly further to 5.8 per cent, as the Queensland economy remains resilient at the end of the … Continue reading

Posted in Labour market, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Unit approvals plummet in rest of Aus. with Qld likely to follow

The Brisbane Times reported the other day that Brisbane renters were being offered inducements such as iPads, suggesting that supply growth has got ahead of demand growth in Brisbane recently. This should reduce the enthusiasm of investors for the Brisbane … Continue reading

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

How the Qld economy performed over 2015

In 2015, the Queensland economy proved itself resilient to the end of the mining boom, and recovered from the apparent downturn, a so-called technical recession, at the end of 2014. Even though the economy is proving resilient, growth is at … Continue reading

Posted in Budget, Macroeconomy, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Surprisingly good jobs data shows economy’s resilience

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

Building construction rebounded in September quarter, but still below previous highs

All the cranes on the Brisbane skyline, from the Valley and Newstead, to West End, Milton and Toowong, might suggest there is a building boom underway. Certainly activity is increasing in the building industry. Building construction work done in Queensland … Continue reading

Posted in Housing, Mining, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Qld employment growth is great news, but it is still not strong from historical perspective

Wisely, Queensland Treasurer Curtis Pitt did not get too excited over yesterday’s employment numbers, which were surprisingly strong at a national level, with the Treasurer noting, regarding the State unemployment rate, “While it’s welcome news that the seasonally adjusted unemployment … Continue reading

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A longer-term perspective on the CAPEX plunge

In a comment on my post from last Friday, regular Queensland Economy Watch reader Jim pointed out that the plunge in capital expenditure (CAPEX) is simply returning Queensland to more normal rates of investment, as was completely expected. Jim suggested … Continue reading

Posted in Macroeconomy, Mining | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments