Tag Archives: mackay

COVID-19 rescue package chat with CCIQ Chief Economist Marcus Smith

Posted on March 22, 2020 by

In both its scale and scope, the COVID-19 rescue package announced by the Prime Minister and Treasurer this morning is stunning. I spoke with CCIQ Chief Economist Marcus Smith earlier this afternoon regarding what he thinks about the package, and … Continue reading →

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

Trad right on thermal coal – Qld should prepare for possible future decline of industry

Posted on February 27, 2019 by

Queensland Deputy Premier and Treasurer Jackie Trad is quoted in the Courier-Mail today on the future of thermal coal in Queensland: QUEENSLANDERS working in thermal-coal mines should start reskilling now to prepare for the decline of the industry, according to … Continue reading →

Posted in Mining, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Business counts data show rise of Uber and start ups

Posted on February 22, 2018 by

Yesterday afternoon, on his 612 ABC Brisbane drive time show (from 1:42:50), Steve Austin interviewed my colleague QEAS Director Nick Behrens on the still relatively weak wages growth figures released yesterday. Nick also covered more positive news regarding the state … Continue reading →

Posted in Mining, Transport, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Stark difference in unemployment rates between resources regions and rest of Qld

Posted on June 26, 2016 by

The Queensland branch of the Economic Society of Australia, of which I am the Secretary, was fortunate last Tuesday to host a presentation by Queensland Treasury official Greg Uptin on the economic forecasts underpinning the 2016-17 Queensland Budget. Greg gave … Continue reading →

Posted in Labour market, Macroeconomy, Mining, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Qld economy patchy – SEQ appears fine, but much of rest of Qld struggling

Posted on February 27, 2016 by

I had a nice chat with Ben Davis on his 4BC Live program yesterday afternoon about the state of Queensland’s economy, a discussion which was inspired by the flurry of press releases that came from the State Government in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Labour market, Macroeconomy, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Mackay asks why is Townsville getting special treatment?

Posted on January 20, 2016 by

Yesterday afternoon I spoke with Elly Bradfield on ABC Radio’s Statewide Drive program about Queensland Nickel entering administration and the likely economic fallout. I reiterated the points I made in this blog yesterday that this could be a big economic … Continue reading →

Posted in Mackay, Queensland Government, Townsville, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Qld regions have been struggling and not just the mining ones

Posted on October 22, 2015 by

Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill’s alleged lack of success in bringing new infrastructure projects to the city may become a major issue in the mayoral election in March next year, based on a report in today’s Townsville Bulletin. The Mayor may … Continue reading →

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

Upcoming panel discussion – End of the mining boom: What’s next?

Posted on April 6, 2015 by

It’s clear the mining downturn is having significant adverse effects, such as large increases in unemployment in regions that are more dependent on mining, such as the Mackay and Fitzroy regions (see chart above, and also see the Courier-Mail report … Continue reading →

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

Qld has three of top five regional areas with most expensive residential lots

Posted on July 17, 2014 by

The Housing Industry Association released a very interesting note today on median lot prices in capital cities and regional Australia (i.e. non-Capital City Australia): Land price pressures signal policy failure. The data should prompt a number of Queensland Councils to review their … Continue reading →

Posted in Gold Coast, Housing, Mackay | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Which Qld regions are the most productive per capita?

Posted on July 10, 2013 by

Based on Queensland Treasury figures published earlier this year (Experimental Estimates of Gross Regional Product), the North West and Mackay regions of Queensland have the highest levels of gross regional product (GRP) per capita, largely due to mining in each … Continue reading →

Posted in Brisbane, Gold Coast, North Queensland | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment