Tag Archives: construction

Why the National Accounts matter: podcast chat with Brendan Markey-Towler

This century’s great trends in the Australian economy are evident in the National Accounts data (Chart 1):  a halving of the relative economic contribution of domestic manufacturing, partly due to the car industry shutdown;  the periodic resources booms which have … Continue reading

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Surge in new houses and reno’s offset by slump in non-residential construction in Qld

The ABS’s preliminary estimates of construction activity for March quarter are discouraging for Queensland, with an overall fall of 1.7% since December quarter in seasonally adjusted terms (see chart below). In contrast, construction work done increased by 2.4% nationwide. NSW … Continue reading

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Most houses approved in one month in Qld since time of high interstate migration in 90s

The Housing Industry Association was quick to proclaim Detached Building Approvals Reach Record High after the ABS published the December building approvals data today. “Detached building approvals” are approvals for houses, as opposed to approvals for apartments or townhouses. Obviously, … Continue reading

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Women and the Budget webinar presented by Griffith Business School

Last Thursday I had a great time moderating a webinar on Women and the Budget hosted by the Griffith Department of Accounting, Finance and Economics. Presenters included Dr Leonora Risse of RMIT who has been a visiting fellow at the … Continue reading

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My top ten posts of the 2010s

Since I started Queensland Economy Watch in June 2010, I’ve attempted to cover the changing fortunes of the Queensland economy and state budget as accurately and objectively as possible. It’s been a great experience. I’ve learned a lot and met … Continue reading

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Worried Master Builders Qld calls for new Building the Education Revolution

Paul Bidwell, Deputy CEO of Master Builders Queensland, has made some extraordinary comments to the Courier-Mail, calling for the federal government to stimulate the construction industry through a new Building the Education Revolution, which was a Rudd Government stimulus measure. … Continue reading

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Qld construction activity 16% lower than in June quarter last year

Back in February, I depressed several hundred people in the construction and property sectors who heard me speak about the economic outlook at various events around Brisbane (e.g. Qld: hot or not?). It was reasonably clear from building approvals and … Continue reading

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Qld construction industry outlook for 2019 discouraging despite #BNE2025 projects

My colleague Nick Behrens from QEAS has published an informative post on the major projects, such as Cross River Rail and Brisbane Live, which will boost construction activity in Brisbane in future years: The BNE 2025 projects represent a renaissance … Continue reading

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Queensland construction industry outlook

The construction industry is very important to the Queensland economy, and it employs nearly 10 percent of all workers (see Queensland Treasury’s Employment by Industry brief). One part of the broader industry, residential construction, has grown strongly in recent years, … Continue reading

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Rising workforce participation reflects improved jobs market in Qld

I have been commenting on Queensland’s improving labour market for several months now, and the July labour force data released by the ABS yesterday have confirmed that trend is continuing. The State’s unemployment rate remained stable at 6.3 percent in … Continue reading

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