Tag Archives: abs

Mining employment in Qld continues to grow, but at slower rate

Employment in the Queensland mining sector still appears to be growing, although at a slower rate, according to the detailed quarterly data released today (see chart below). This suggests the concerns raised earlier in the year by some commentators over … Continue reading

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Effective population numbers much higher than usual residents in central and western Qld (and Cairns)

Some interesting data were released by the ABS today comparing the number of people counted in each local government area (LGA) on Census night compared with the number of usual residents (see chart below). The chart shows the ratio of … Continue reading

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Qld labour market stable, not worsening

The Queensland labour market appears stable based on yesterday’s ABS labour force data (see chart below), confirming my skepticism about the bleak forecast for the Queensland economy reported by the Brisbane Times earlier in the week (Outlook for Qld economy … Continue reading

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Very little real growth in retail trade since financial crisis

Yesterday’s retail trade data for July from the ABS were disappointing and continue to show consumers are reluctant to spend. Indeed, in real terms (i.e. adjusting for inflation), there has been practically no growth in retail turnover since the financial … Continue reading

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Housing outlook improving

Yesterday’s building approvals data from the ABS should be encouraging for the Queensland building industry because they signal a recovery in housing construction, just as approvals of new apartment stock are declining. Approvals of private houses are trending upwards (first … Continue reading

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Resources sector investment hasn’t and won’t fall off cliff

Yesterday’s ABS capital expenditure data show just how significant resources sector investment has been to the Queensland economy over the last few years, and how the manufacturing sector has been affected by the high exchange rate (see chart below). While … Continue reading

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Townsville vs Cairns again

Having grown up in Townsville I’m very aware of the intense rivalry between Townsville and Cairns, which is partly a battle over which city should win the meaningless title of capital of North Queensland (see Is Townsville or Cairns the … Continue reading

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Queensland’s dynamic labour market

Today’s new ABS data on labour mobility show Queensland has one of the most dynamic labour markets in Australia, with one of the highest proportions of workers having been with their current employer for under twelve months (chart above). I … Continue reading

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Growth in cost of living highest for pensioners

Pete Faulkner has a great post today (Cost of living pressures?) commenting on the new ABS Living Cost Indexes data, some of which I’ve charted above. Pete notes: Today’s release of the Living Cost Indexes by the ABS should hopefully end … Continue reading

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Still waiting for building industry recovery

The Queensland building industry will continue to experience lean times over coming months with building approvals remaining significantly lower than they were before the financial crisis (see chart below based on today’s latest ABS data). While seasonally adjusted building approvals … Continue reading

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