Tag Archives: employment

IR reforms could improve employment opportunities for young Australians

Almost eight years after the 2008 financial crisis, young Australians still face a significantly tougher job market than before the crisis. To illustrate, the employment-to-population ratio for young Australians aged 15 to 24 remains well below rates experienced prior to … Continue reading

Posted in Labour market, Macroeconomy, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Guest post: Why are NSW mining regions enduring the mining downturn better than Qld regions?

Today I am delighted to publish a guest post from my NSW-based friend and fellow economist Alistair Robson.  Why are NSW mining regions enduring the mining downturn better than Qld regions? by Dr Alistair Robson Despite the Sydney-centric focus on … Continue reading

Posted in Labour market, Macroeconomy, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

After Jobs Growth Summit, business groups need to lobby hard for better policies

At today’s Queensland Jobs Growth Summit at Parliament House in Brisbane, I did my best to argue for good economic policy. After Deputy Premier Jackie Trad’s speech, I asked her whether the Government would consider fast-tracking the review of taxi … Continue reading

Posted in IR, Labour market, Macroeconomy, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Tuesday’s Jobs Growth Summit a great opportunity to push for better economic policies

On Tuesday, I will be attending the Queensland Jobs Growth Summit at Parliament House, which is being hosted by UQ’s School of Economics (my occasional employer) and the Australia Institute. My business Adept Economics is one of several Summit sponsors. … Continue reading

Posted in IR, Labour market, Macroeconomy, Queensland Government, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Robust SEQ economy distracts us from weakness in regions, particularly in Townsville

Townsville-based economist Colin Dwyer is getting very worried about his region’s economy, noting in an email to his mailing list today that: “Economic conditions have deteriorated in North Australia’s largest city.  The unemployment rate is the worst it’s been for … Continue reading

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

What economic indicators should board directors monitor?

I have recently published an article on the website of the corporate governance consultancy firm Effective Governance, at which I am a specialist adviser, regarding: What Economic Indicators Should Board Directors Monitor? The article was inspired by a recent Harvard … Continue reading

Posted in Macroeconomy, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Challenging conditions outside SEQ

In his recent commentary regarding strong growth in the retail sector, National Retail Association CEO Trevor Evans noted: “South East Queensland is performing strongly but performance in Queensland is being held back by issues in some areas…Some areas are living … Continue reading

Posted in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Infrastructure, Labour market, Mackay, Macroeconomy, Mining, North Queensland, Queensland Government, Townsville, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Economic pain continues for Townsville

With the nickel refinery at Yabulu outside Townsville now in administration, following the sacking of hundreds of workers last week, Townsville residents are right to be very concerned about the economic impact of a possible refinery shutdown, and the loss … Continue reading

Posted in Labour market, Townsville, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

Penalty rates reform should be considered as way to reduce youth unemployment

New labour force data from the ABS yesterday showed that Queensland ended 2015 with solid employment growth, and with the unemployment rate falling slightly further to 5.8 per cent, as the Queensland economy remains resilient at the end of the … Continue reading

Posted in Labour market, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

How the Qld economy performed over 2015

In 2015, the Queensland economy proved itself resilient to the end of the mining boom, and recovered from the apparent downturn, a so-called technical recession, at the end of 2014. Even though the economy is proving resilient, growth is at … Continue reading

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