Tag Archives: queensland

Businesses in “survival mode” says CCIQ Chief Economist Dr Marcus Smith

THis afternoon, I caught up via Zoom with CCIQ Chief Economist Dr Marcus Smith to discuss the extraordinary coronavirus-related developments since we last spoke on Sunday. As Marcus notes early in our conversation, which you can listen to below, things … Continue reading

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New COVID-19 chat with Joe Branigan of Tulipwood Economics

I’ve recorded another interview on the latest COVID-19 rescue package from the federal government, this time with my good friend and former Treasury colleague Joe Branigan, Director of Tulipwood Economics. Joe provides important context for the massive rescue package. He … Continue reading

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COVID-19 rescue package chat with CCIQ Chief Economist Marcus Smith

In both its scale and scope, the COVID-19 rescue package announced by the Prime Minister and Treasurer this morning is stunning. I spoke with CCIQ Chief Economist Marcus Smith earlier this afternoon regarding what he thinks about the package, and … Continue reading

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COVID-19 & UBI chat on ABC Brisbane radio with Katherine Feeney

I had an interesting conversation this afternoon with 612 ABC Brisbane’s Katherine Feeney about coronavirus and whether Universal Basic Income (UBI) might help people get through coronavirus-induced financial difficulties (from 1.55:20): 612 ABC Brisbane Afternoons with Katherine Feeney, 17 March … Continue reading

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Coronavirus conversation with former Qld Gov’t biologist & Treasury official Paul McFadyen

Yesterday I spoke with my good friend Paul McFadyen, a now-retired former Queensland Government biologist and Treasury official, about coronavirus and how governments should respond to it and crises more broadly. In our conversation, Paul recalled his experience during the … Continue reading

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Coronavirus is massive shock to China with growing flow-on impacts on Qld economy

Modern-day stoics such as Tim Ferriss recommend you avoid regular news updates as they can distract your focus and increase your anxiety. There is much truth in this, particularly on days like this when you learn the latest news about … Continue reading

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Cross River Rail cost blowout means project doesn’t stack up

Based on recent Courier-Mail reports of a huge cost blowout, the Cross River Rail project could deliver a net loss to the community of around $5 billion, or almost $1,000 for every Queenslander.  The latest news about the troubled Cross … Continue reading

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Gig economy & side hustle business numbers growing strongly

There has been strong growth in the number of gig economy and side hustle businesses in Queensland, according to ABS business counts data published last Thursday (see chart below). Topping the list of industries (at the 4-digit ANZSIC level) by … Continue reading

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Qld definitely not hot – slides from my Hot or Not talk at the Brisbane Club

Thanks to Ross Elliott from APP Property and Infrastructure Specialists for having invited me to present again at his annual Queensland: Hot or Not seminar at the Brisbane Club yesterday afternoon. It’s very clear the Queensland economy, and the broader … Continue reading

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Fifth anniversary of Palaszczuk Gov’t – my comments in today’s Courier-Mail

Courier-Mail State Affairs Editor Steven Wardill has written a great article on where the Palaszczuk Government is placed on its fifth anniversary today, Premier’s support plunges to same level as Bligh bloodbath, in which he quotes me: One of Queensland’s … Continue reading

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