Tag Archives: debt

QIC could still invest Govt super funds in GOCs, while Govt would argue it hasn’t technically raided super

Posted on July 13, 2015 by Gene Tunny

I recalled a great scene from one of my all-time favourite movies All the President’s Men when the Queensland Government today issued what may be a “non-denial denial” regarding the alleged Budget plan to use super funds to pay down … Continue reading →

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Accounting trick wouldn’t improve Qld Government’s real financial position

Posted on July 10, 2015 by Gene Tunny

Today’s Courier-Mail features an exclusive from State Political Reporter Steven Wardill on “Pitt’s Debt Trick.” It suggests the Government intends to transfer $4.1 billion of debt from the General Government sector (i.e. the government agencies such as health and education) … Continue reading →

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QIC takeover of GOCs is a very bad idea

Posted on June 25, 2015 by Gene Tunny

As suggested in the Courier-Mail this morning, it is possible the Queensland Government will try to appear it is meeting its fiscal strategy and paying down debt through some creative accounting, involving government-owned corporations (GOCs) (e.g. Energex, Stanwell, Gladstone and … Continue reading →

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Qld Treasurer confirms Govt’s immense fiscal challenge with royalties write down of $3 billion

Posted on June 24, 2015 by Gene Tunny

I wasn’t surprised when Treasurer Curtis Pitt today revealed there would be a write down in mining royalties of $3 billion over the Budget forward estimates (i.e. 2015-16 to 2018-19), due to both lower prices and volumes than previously forecast … Continue reading →

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Courier-Mail story on Qld Govt’s fiscal challenges

Posted on June 13, 2015 by Gene Tunny

I was quoted by John McCarthy in an article in today’s Courier-Mail (see image above) regarding the Queensland Government’s fiscal challenges. I’ve previously commented on the big challenge the Government has of sticking to its fiscal strategy announced at the … Continue reading →

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Qld Government will find it a big challenge to achieve its fiscal strategy

Posted on March 19, 2015 by Gene Tunny

Queensland Treasurer Curtis Pitt has rightly labelled the upcoming 2015-16 Budget as “no frills” (see ABC news report). The Government cannot afford any frivolous expenses, because the budget challenge it faces is massive. The major problems the Government has are: … Continue reading →

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New Qld Government should allow plenty of time for thorough review of spending

Posted on February 27, 2015 by Gene Tunny

I noticed that former Olympian Kieren Perkins has cast doubt on Queensland’s ability to host an Olympic Games and has pointed to the Queensland Government’s lack of a clear strategy to pay down debt (see today’s Courier-Mail). While the Queensland … Continue reading →

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Fiscal reality will drive the next reform agenda – guest post from Joe Branigan

Posted on February 4, 2015 by Gene Tunny

I’m delighted to present a guest post from my old friend and former Treasury colleague Joe Branigan. It goes without saying that the views presented below are Joe’s and not necessarily mine. That said, I agree broadly with Joe regarding … Continue reading →

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Black hole election – speech notes and slides

Posted on January 31, 2015 by Gene Tunny

For the record, I’m posting the speech notes I prepared for the presentation I gave Wednesday night at the Ship Inn Function Centre in South Brisbane on economic policy issues in the 2015 Queensland election. My slides are available via … Continue reading →

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4BC Drive interview on election costings – problems with economic plans from both major parties

Posted on January 31, 2015 by Gene Tunny

I had a nice chat with Ben Davis from 4BC’s Drive program yesterday afternoon on the economic plans the major parties are taking to today’s Queensland election. You can find the audio for the interview if you scroll down on … Continue reading →

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