Tag Archives: covid

Higher coal prices helping Qld economy and state budget in this time of rolling lockdowns

Posted on August 9, 2021 by Gene Tunny

Coking and thermal coal prices have recovered massively from their pandemic-induced lows in 2020, providing much-needed help to the Queensland economy and state budget in this time of rolling lockdowns. In the chart below are the one-month and twelve-month-ahead futures … Continue reading →

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

Circuit-breaker could become business-breaker lockdown

Posted on August 2, 2021 by Gene Tunny

Despite telling us earlier this year she wouldn’t have to lock us down anymore (see Brisbane won’t face another virus lockdown), CHO Jeannette Young has imposed on SEQ two “circuit breaker” lockdowns in one month. And this one looks like … Continue reading →

Posted in Brisbane | Tagged , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Does government understand business and realise the huge costs of lockdowns?

Posted on July 13, 2021 by Gene Tunny

The reports from the Sydney lockdown are grim. The lockdown is imposing a huge cost on affected businesses. The financial assistance offered today by the federal and NSW governments may be insufficient for many businesses (e.g. see Sydney CBD restaurants … Continue reading →

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

Qld’s heavy CAPEX pipeline dominated by public sector projects

Posted on July 3, 2021 by Gene Tunny

First, thankfully the Queensland Government will lift the Brisbane-Moreton lockdown at 6pm tonight, although the threat of future lockdowns remains, making it challenging to plan anything over the next couple of months. I’m really hoping the COVID spread is contained … Continue reading →

Posted in Infrastructure, Macroeconomy | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Here we go again (without JobKeeper) + Cross River Rail looking like an even worse investment now

Posted on June 24, 2021 by Gene Tunny

Firstly, what more can we say about the latest border restrictions other than here we go again, although this time without JobKeeper. Needless to say, this will bring more economic hardship to tourism businesses who need all the trade they … Continue reading →

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Mining CAPEX has been growing in WA, falling in Qld

Posted on May 28, 2021 by Gene Tunny

Mining sector capital investment has been increasing in WA but falling in Queensland, according to March quarter capital expenditure data published by the ABS yesterday (see chart above). This would reflect a combination of the following factors: the stronger demand … Continue reading →

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CommSec’s weird assessment of Victoria’s economic growth as leading the nation in State of the States

Posted on January 28, 2021 by Gene Tunny

This afternoon, Australian Institute for Progress Executive Director Graham Young alerted me to his conversation with 612 ABC Brisbane host Steve Austin and McKell Institute Executive Chair Rachel Nolan yesterday on Steve’s Drive program (from around 2:26:30) regarding the CommSec … Continue reading →

Posted in Labour market, Macroeconomy | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

JobKeeper has been stimulating in multiple ways – evidence from Lush Marcoola

Posted on January 23, 2021 by Gene Tunny

Well done to Matty Holdsworth from the Sunshine Coast Daily for some excellent reporting on the Lush Marcoola brothel which was re-printed in today’s print edition of the Courier-Mail on p. 47: YOUNG men cashed up on JobKeeper payments kept … Continue reading →

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Need to improve Qld’s COVID decision making after unreasonable Greater Brisbane lockdown

Posted on January 12, 2021 by Gene Tunny

The Queensland Government needs to improve its COVID decision making process after the absurd three-day Greater Brisbane lockdown, which thankfully wasn’t extended beyond 6pm last night. ANU Professor Peter Collignon yesterday criticised the lockdown on 2GB radio, as reported by … Continue reading →

Posted in Queensland Government | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Thoughts after first full day of Brisbane lockdown

Posted on January 9, 2021 by Gene Tunny

Twenty-seven hours into it, I’m still doubtful about the wisdom of the Greater Brisbane lockdown, especially on a day when no new COVID community transmission cases were announced, and on a day when, bizarrely, our Premier appeared to celebrate her … Continue reading →

Posted in Brisbane, Queensland Government | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments