Tag Archives: deficits

Qld Treasurer trying to have it both ways on budget outlook

Queensland Treasurer Cameron Dick is trying to have it both ways regarding Queensland’s budget outlook. He is arguing the Opposition’s target of a budget surplus by 2023-24 is unattainable, but he has previously argued the budget outlook is so uncertain … Continue reading

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Frydenberg’s won’t-die-wondering Budget

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg delivered a strong speech tonight in handing down what I’d label as his won’t-die-wondering budget, or possibly as the Nixon-goes-to-China budget, a federal budget with an expected current financial year deficit of $214 billion and projected total … Continue reading

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Gov’t claims police boost “fully funded”, but won’t release full budget forward estimates

Earlier today, in announcing a huge boost to police staffing, expected to cost $624 million over five years, Queensland Police Minister Mark Ryan commented (in the media release Palaszczuk Government to deliver an extra 2,025 police personnel): “Unlike the commitments … Continue reading

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The Deficit Myth and Modern Monetary Theory – latest podcast episode

I’ve recorded some thoughts on Stephanie Kelton’s best-selling book The Deficit Myth which is popularising so-called Modern Monetary Theory: The Deficit Myth and Modern Monetary Theory – initial views In my recorded conversation with my Adept Economics colleague Ben Scott, … Continue reading

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State gov’t economic responses to COVID-19 podcast episode

In my latest podcast episode, I elaborate on my opening remarks to the Queensland Parliamentary Inquiry on the state government’s economic response to COVID-19 on Monday. Among other things, I mention Joe Branigan and Henry Ergas’s new Menzies Research Centre … Continue reading

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Government Budget Analysis Training Day on 22 November at the Johnson, Spring Hill, Brisbane

I’m excited to announce my old friend and colleague Joe Branigan and I will be holding a training day on government budget analysis on Friday 22 November at the Johnson Hotel, Spring Hill, Brisbane. Tickets are available via Eventbrite: Government … Continue reading

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ABC radio interviews on Beautiful One Day, Broke the Next & Qld Gov’t MYFER

Earlier today I spoke with Steve Austin on his 612 ABC Brisbane Drive program about the Queensland Government’s Mid Year Fiscal and Economic Review and my recently published book Beautiful One Day, Broke the Next. While the state government today reported … Continue reading

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Moody Blues – guest post by Joe Branigan

I am delighted to publish a guest post by my old friend and former Treasury colleague Joe Branigan on the recent upgrade to the outlook for Queensland’s credit rating from Moody’s. GT Moody Blues by Joe Branigan Moody’s Investor Services … Continue reading

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Why is budget repair so difficult?

One of my favourite movie scenes is from Jaws, when Roy Scheider’s character Martin Brody, after seeing the shark for the first time, tells the captain “You’re going to need a bigger boat.” That scene came into my mind in … Continue reading

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Energy GOCs equity raid a good example of problem with public ownership

I was quoted in the Courier-Mail this morning regarding the $3.5 billion the Queensland Government has withdrawn from equity in its power businesses (see chart above) for the purposes of paying down debt (see Earnings grab quick debt fix, Pitt … Continue reading

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