Tag Archives: privatisation

Power prices would be lower than otherwise, but may not fall, under privatisation

Posted on January 22, 2015 by Gene Tunny

I’m pleased to see some analysis finally published on the potential benefits of the privatisation of electricity businesses from a Queensland perspective: Network Pricing Trends in Queensland prepared by EY. The Courier-Mail has covered this report with the headline, on … Continue reading →

Posted in Energy, Queensland Government | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

Good set of policy principles (mostly) from new Queensland think tank AiP

Posted on January 6, 2015 by Gene Tunny

New Queensland think tank the Australian Institute for Progress (AiP) has released a set of high-level policies for the Queensland election, which are mostly consistent with sound public finance and the promotion of free markets (see Our priorities for Queensland … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget, Industry policy | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Earlier election better for the Queensland economy

Posted on January 6, 2015 by Gene Tunny

It’s good news for the Queensland economy that the Premier is expected to announce a late January or early February election today. The CCIQ September quarter Pulse Survey report notes that uncertainty around the upcoming election has affected business expectations, … Continue reading →

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

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 →

Posted in Budget, Mining | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Privatisation scoping studies should be released to inform public debate

Posted on December 3, 2014 by Gene Tunny

If it hasn’t already been sent, I expect an email will be sent around Ergon Energy today decreeing that all whiteboards must be erased after meetings, after the embarrassing disclosure of privatisation planning to union officials via a whiteboard (see … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget, Energy | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Lease complications mean asset sales a better option

Posted on November 6, 2014 by Gene Tunny

The Government may be having second thoughts about its decision to lease out rather than sell assets, as it’s facing a lot of tricky (and legitimate) questions on what the lease conditions would be from opponents such as the ETU … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget, Energy | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

How important is the return of leased out assets in 99 years time in a cost-benefit analysis?

Posted on October 29, 2014 by Gene Tunny

The Premier’s interesting comparison of the proposed leasing out of Queensland Government assets to the long-term lease of Hong Kong, which was eventually returned to China, made me think about how important the eventual return of assets should be in … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget, Queensland Government | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

7.30 Qld interview on asset leases and power prices

Posted on October 18, 2014 by Gene Tunny

I featured in Eric Tlozek’s excellent story on the proposed leasing out of electricity assets on 7.30 Queensland last night: Government powers up to sell state asset leases I come in at around 3 minutes, 20 seconds, after the Opposition … Continue reading →

Posted in Energy | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Success of privatisation plan requires $12 billion spent wisely

Posted on October 7, 2014 by Gene Tunny

As I’ve commented on previously, I’d prefer the Queensland Government to allocate all of the privatisation proceeds to debt reduction to maximise our chances of regaining our AAA credit rating. By allocating a sizable fraction – now $12 billion according … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget, Energy | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Private sector involvement should restrain growth in electricity prices

Posted on September 22, 2014 by Gene Tunny

There was an excellent article in Saturday’s Courier-Mail, quoting me towards the end of it, by State Political Reporter, Steven Wardill, on the likely impacts of the proposed leasing out of Queensland’s electricity network assets: Energy prices have risen rapidly … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget, Energy | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments