Tag Archives: pc

Productivity Commission re-litigates road pricing reform

Posted on July 28, 2015 by Gene Tunny

In situations where demand exceeds supply, a good or service can either be rationed by queuing or rationed by price. Economic theory is clear that it is most efficient to ration by price, as the good or service goes to … Continue reading →

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ACE2015 careers session on a day in the life of a professional economist

Posted on July 8, 2015 by Gene Tunny

The 2015 Australian Conference of Economists (ACE2015) has commenced in Brisbane at QUT’s Gardens Point campus. Yesterday I participated as a panelist in a session at the PhD Colloquium on a day in the life of a professional economist, along … Continue reading →

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Addressing youth unemployment requires reform of workplace relations policies

Posted on March 23, 2015 by Gene Tunny

Youth unemployment has re-emerged as a significant problem in recent years (see chart above), partly as a result of the general economic sluggishness since the financial crisis. Also, Australia’s inflexible workplace relations regulations are likely playing a role, and youth … Continue reading →

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2014 wrap up – Qld Govt excelled on budget management, but Adani & Tatts deals questionable

Posted on December 30, 2014 by Gene Tunny

The Queensland Government’s major economic policy achievements in 2014 included: strong budget management, particularly through expenditure restraint, with the Mid Year Fiscal and Economic Review reporting that expenses in 2014-15 are expected to now be $720 million lower than budget … Continue reading →

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Productivity Commission has scope to consider student visa rorts

Posted on November 21, 2014 by Gene Tunny

One of my loyal readers often says to me that “Australians love a good rort”, and indeed there are several government policies and programs that allow rorting to various degrees. So I’m pleased that the fiercely independent Productivity Commission is … Continue reading →

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PC natural disaster funding recommendations could cost Qld over a billion

Posted on October 2, 2014 by Gene Tunny

The Productivity Commission has injected a huge dose of economic rationalism into its recent draft report on natural disaster funding, which contains a recommendation to cut future Commonwealth support from 75% to 50% of the repair bill – a recommendation … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget, Cyclones, Floods | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Illogical to reject Uber over safety concerns

Posted on June 23, 2014 by Gene Tunny

It’s disappointing the Queensland Transport Minister Scott Emerson has been swayed by the taxi industry’s argument that safety regulations and supply restrictions (i.e. a limited number of taxi licences) are both needed to ensure passenger safety (Brisbane no closer to … Continue reading →

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Minimum wage reduces retail jobs available for young people

Posted on June 12, 2014 by Gene Tunny

Walking around the newly renovated Indooroopilly Shoppingtown in Brisbane’s western suburbs recently, I was struck by how many high-end clothing and jewellery stores there now are in the centre. Partly this would be because high-end shops would be more likely … Continue reading →

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Large fare savings possible from taxi industry deregulation

Posted on March 10, 2014 by Gene Tunny

My friend and colleague Brad Rogers has a great post at his blog on Queensland Taxi Licenses and Drunken Violence. Brad argues: Queensland’s taxi regulations are costing the Brisbane public over $80 million per year and may be contributing to drunken … Continue reading →

Posted in Industry policy | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

Scope to cut Qld Government industry assistance

Posted on February 13, 2014 by Gene Tunny

Queensland Treasurer Tim Nicholls did a good job of dampening expectations for this year’s Queensland Budget yesterday: Queensland Treasurer Tim Nicholls says there will be no over-spending in the last budget before the election While the Government is rightly investigating … Continue reading →

Posted in Industry policy, Tourism | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments