Tag Archives: qld

Podcast on my upcoming Qld Infrastructure Summit presentation on infrastructure banks

I have recorded a short podcast with Pop Up Radio Australia regarding my upcoming presentation (next Tuesday) to the IAQ Queensland Infrastructure Summit, in which I will be considering the pros and cons of so-called infrastructure banks: Podcast on my … Continue reading

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Rising workforce participation reflects improved jobs market in Qld

I have been commenting on Queensland’s improving labour market for several months now, and the July labour force data released by the ABS yesterday have confirmed that trend is continuing. The State’s unemployment rate remained stable at 6.3 percent in … Continue reading

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Improved economic conditions may give Qld Gov’t confidence to call early election

Queensland political observers were stunned today when State Government Ministers started giving what appeared to be end-of-term wrap up speeches in Parliament, raising the possibility of an early election in September or October. With some of the Government’s recent announcements, … Continue reading

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Protectionist Buy Queensland policy unlikely to survive in current form

Queensland’s new protectionist procurement policy, Buy Queensland, was the subject of discussions today between Australia’s and New Zealand’s Trade Ministers, Steve Ciobo and Todd McClay (see this AAP report). You may recall that late last month the Queensland Government announced … Continue reading

Posted in Queensland Government, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

My thoughts on Deloitte’s Confidently Queensland Report

Deloitte, one of the big four professional services firms, has recently released a very interesting and informative report titled Confidently Queensland, which presents Deloitte’s goals for Queensland in 2027: liveable communities, a diversified economy, and inclusive growth. The report was … Continue reading

Posted in Mining, queensland, Queensland Government, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Spit casino cancellation highlights dysfunctional system constraining development

The Queensland Government’s politically expedient decision to cancel Chinese company ASF’s proposed casino-resort on the Spit at Southport completely stunned me yesterday. In its media release, the Government offered no good reason for why it was cancelling the project. If … Continue reading

Posted in Gold Coast, Tourism, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

PC scathing of Qld sugar industry’s “dependency psyche” & “back to the future” re-regulation

One of the low points for the current Queensland Government occurred in late 2015, when it failed to stop the Real Choice in Marketing legislation advanced by Katter’s Australian Party with support from the Opposition and Billy Gordon. This provided … Continue reading

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

On the upcoming Ted Evans lecture & Qld’s recent employment trends

On 14 September, the Economic Society of Australia (Qld), of which I am the Secretary, is hosting the inaugural Ted Evans Public Policy Lecture at Customs House, Brisbane. The inaugural lecturer will be none other than former Treasury Secretary Ted … Continue reading

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Queensland’s economic transition since the end of the mining investment boom

According to the Brisbane Times, at the LNP state conference on Sunday, Queensland Opposition Leader Tim Nicholls was highly critical of the Government’s economic management: “…you certainly can’t create jobs or effectively manage our finances when the Queensland domestic economy … Continue reading

Posted in Macroeconomy, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Is North Qld under-funded by the State Government relative to the South East?

In Saturday’s Courier-Mail, State Affairs Editor Steven Wardill reported on the unmovable perception among North Queenslanders that their region is under-funded by the State Government, despite official data showing otherwise. Wardill noted: Facts and figures are dismissed out of hand. … Continue reading

Posted in Infrastructure, North Queensland, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 15 Comments