Tag Archives: australia

Ironic that Trump may just be the shock financial markets needed

Posted on November 15, 2016 by Gene Tunny

The election of Donald Trump as US President is undoubtedly a huge shock to global financial markets. Even though it is highly uncertain what policies he will ultimately adopt and can get passed by Congress, it is highly probable he … Continue reading →

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

PC ennui?

Posted on November 8, 2016 by Gene Tunny

Based on its discussion paper for its five year productivity review, the Productivity Commission appears to be suffering from ennui or world weariness. Consider this passage, which the PC has published in bold italics (on p. 17): “The Commission is … Continue reading →

Posted in IR, Labour market, Productivity, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Better Living through Economics – upcoming presentation at UQ

Posted on October 26, 2016 by Gene Tunny

Economists have made immense contributions to people’s wellbeing over the last fifty years. An Australian example that comes to mind is the instrumental role economists played in advocating for and designing microeconomic reforms, including tariff reductions, privatisations and the deregulation … Continue reading →

Posted in Macroeconomy, Trade, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

ABC Regional Drive interview – dubious jobs data another sign ABS is struggling under a tight budget

Posted on October 21, 2016 by Gene Tunny

In its September labour force report, which reported the Australian unemployment rate fell to 5.6% from 5.7% while employment fell by 9,800 (and full-time employment fell 53,000!), contrary to the jobs growth the market was expecting, the ABS more or … Continue reading →

Posted in Labour market, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Corporate whistleblowers need better protection

Posted on October 12, 2016 by Gene Tunny

At the QUT Business Leaders’ Forum lunch at the Sofitel in Brisbane on Monday, NAB CEO Andrew Thorburn was subjected to a tough line of questioning from the forum moderator, veteran ABC journalist Kerry O’Brien. Thorburn generally performed well, although … Continue reading →

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

Treasury dumps wellbeing framework & defines principal objectives around Budget, productivity and globalisation

Posted on September 22, 2016 by Gene Tunny

Of the many outstanding contributions that former Treasury Secretary Ken Henry made to public policy in Australia, one of my favourites was the wellbeing framework. This framework established Treasury’s goal as improving the wellbeing of Australians, and identified five elements … Continue reading →

Posted in Industry policy, Labour market, Macroeconomy, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

Many accounting & financial services businesses being held back by poor understanding of laws of success

Posted on September 20, 2016 by Gene Tunny

Last Wednesday, at the Brisbane offices of Macpherson Kelley Lawyers, I attended a presentation by Macquarie on its 2015-16 Accounting and Financial Services Benchmarking Report, which is based on survey data collected from 355 accounting and financial services firms across … Continue reading →

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

Upcoming lecture on whether Australia should have a Royal Commission into banking

Posted on September 13, 2016 by Gene Tunny

Last month in Perth, at the WA Local Government Association Convention, I was lucky enough to hear a speech by former Australian Chief of Army David Morrison, in which he asked what comes to mind when you hear the words … Continue reading →

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

Good news for the economy as Qld businesses increase investment in machinery & equipment

Posted on September 8, 2016 by Gene Tunny

Despite having some weak regional economies, particularly in the Townsville and Queensland outback regions, the State economy overall recorded reasonably healthy growth in State Final Demand in the June quarter of 0.7 percent in seasonally adjusted terms. This is very … Continue reading →

Posted in Macroeconomy, Mining, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Young Economist Award winner Lionel Page to explain how people can be “optimally irrational”

Posted on September 6, 2016 by Gene Tunny

Last year, the Prime Minister launched a behavioural economics or “Nudge” unit in his Department (see my post from last November), following similar initiatives in the US and UK. The Government is looking at how it can use the insights … Continue reading →

Posted in Social policy, Tax, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment