Tag Archives: qld

Qld Business Leaders Hall of Fame induction dinner 2015 – good selection but for one controversial choice

Posted on July 31, 2015 by Gene Tunny

Last night, at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, six past and present leaders of the Queensland business community were induced in to the Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame. The inductees for 2015 were: Lawrence Wackett, the so-called father … Continue reading →

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Qld Govt expenditure growth has resumed after extraordinary period of austerity

Posted on July 19, 2015 by Gene Tunny

The debate over the 2015-16 Queensland Budget continues, with the Courier-Mail publishing an opinion piece by State Political Reporter Steven Wardill, Today’s problems in Queensland bigger tomorrow after Budget, say economists, quoting me and fellow economist (and friend and former … Continue reading →

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Right diagnosis from Qld Treasury on Qld’s debt problem, but wrong prescription

Posted on July 17, 2015 by Gene Tunny

The Review of State Finances (see p. 80) produced by Queensland Treasury to inform the 2015-16 Budget is clear that Queensland Government “debt is too high.” The Treasury acknowledges that the State’s balance sheet is not “in a position to … Continue reading →

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Qld economy propped up by residential building as business investment slumps

Posted on July 16, 2015 by Gene Tunny

The Brisbane Times has a report this morning on the well-known slump in business investment in Queensland, due partly to the completion or near completion of the LNG projects at Gladstone and partly to relatively low business confidence (see Qld … Continue reading →

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Qld Government opts for accounting tricks rather than true budget repair

Posted on July 14, 2015 by Gene Tunny

In the 2015-16 Queensland Budget, the Government has shown it subscribes to the maxim that one might as well be hanged for a sheep as for a lamb. The Government is undertaking at least three measures of dubious merit, including … Continue reading →

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QIC could still invest Govt super funds in GOCs, while Govt would argue it hasn’t technically raided super

Posted on July 13, 2015 by Gene Tunny

I recalled a great scene from one of my all-time favourite movies All the President’s Men when the Queensland Government today issued what may be a “non-denial denial” regarding the alleged Budget plan to use super funds to pay down … Continue reading →

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Accounting trick wouldn’t improve Qld Government’s real financial position

Posted on July 10, 2015 by Gene Tunny

Today’s Courier-Mail features an exclusive from State Political Reporter Steven Wardill on “Pitt’s Debt Trick.” It suggests the Government intends to transfer $4.1 billion of debt from the General Government sector (i.e. the government agencies such as health and education) … Continue reading →

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Undoubtedly China crash bigger risk to Australia than Grexit

Posted on July 7, 2015 by Gene Tunny

The news.com.au finance reporter Frank Chung is right to note the risks to Australia from a possible crash in China are much greater than the risks from the Greek crisis (see Chinese chaos worse than Greece). We are much more … Continue reading →

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Strong LNG-led export growth means Qld should record economic recovery in first half of 2015

Posted on July 6, 2015 by Gene Tunny

Queensland appears on track to record a recovery from the technical recession of the second-half of 2014, due to a large increase in exports in recent months, in part associated with the LNG now being shipped out of Gladstone (see … Continue reading →

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Ethanol mandate should not proceed without cost-benefit analysis

Posted on July 3, 2015 by Gene Tunny

Before the Queensland Government commits to the 2 per cent ethanol mandate proposed in the biofuels discussion paper, it should commission a cost-benefit analysis to ensure that the costs the mandate will impose on motorists, estimated at over $4 million … Continue reading →

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