Tag Archives: qld

Media commentary on Qld Government election costings

I spoke with Steve Austin on 612 ABC Brisbane yesterday morning regarding the Queensland Government’s election costings, after Steve first spoke with Treasurer Tim Nicholls (3 days until the election – Treasurer Tim Nicholls). The main point I made was … Continue reading

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

QR-Aurizon experience shows benefits of privatisation – Steel on Steel is recommended reading

If you’re interested in the issue of privatisation, I recommend you read a new book, Steel on Steel, published by UQ Press, on the QR float from Aurizon insider Stephen Baines. The book contains an excellent description of the political … Continue reading

Posted in Transport | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Discouraged workers have moderated rise in unemployment rate since March 2012

In my post last week How many jobs needed to be created over the Qld Government’s first term?, I compared the actual job creation rate of 1,400 per month with the rate of 2,200 per month that would have been … Continue reading

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Qld Treasurer rightly avoids committing to a fall in power prices

Queensland Treasurer Tim Nicholls performed well in his interview on 612 ABC Brisbane radio yesterday morning, rightly avoiding a commitment that power prices would fall as a result of privatisation, which he certainly couldn’t guarantee. In a question to the … Continue reading

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

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

How many new jobs needed to be created over the Qld Government’s first term?

I was surprised earlier this month when I first saw the Queensland Government’s election campaign ad on TV noting the Government was creating over 1,100 new jobs per month. As I’ve noted previously, while the Government has had a number … Continue reading

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

Neither party gets a high distinction in fiscal policy

In their proposed fiscal strategies, neither the Government nor the Opposition gets a high distinction. The Government gets marked down because it is not allocating all asset lease proceeds to reducing debt and (thus) interest payments, which means there is … Continue reading

Posted in Budget | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Economic Policy Issues in the 2015 Qld Election – Griffith-ESA Qld event on 28 January

I’m looking forward to participating in an upcoming panel discussion on Economic Policy Issues in the 2015 Queensland Election, to be held on Wednesday, 28 January at 6.30pm at Griffith University’s Southbank campus. I’m certain Professors Fabrizio Carmignani and Tony … Continue reading

Posted in Budget, Macroeconomy, Queensland Government | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Qld Govt benefits from volatile jobs data – still vulnerable over bulk of jobs growth being part-time over first term

The volatile labour force data yielded a nice surprise for the Queensland Government today, with the seasonally adjusted rate falling from 6.8% to 6.1% between November and December last year, and the trend rate falling marginally, too, though staying the … Continue reading

Posted in Labour market | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

ABC radio interview on outlook for Qld economy

Steve Austin from 612 ABC Brisbane interviewed me yesterday morning regarding the economic outlook, and I gave my current view that the economy is relatively weak at the moment, but there are reasons for optimism for later in the year … Continue reading

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