Tag Archives: queensland

Overly optimistic reactions to discouraging GDP data

Posted on December 4, 2019 by Gene Tunny

The RBA and the Government must be happy the media is accepting the Bank’s “gentle turning point” view of the Australian economy (e.g. see the AFR’s ‘Back on track’: GDP lifts to 1.7pc), but I can’t see how the September … Continue reading →

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Sluggish economy & lower coal prices could put Qld gov’t in operating deficit

Posted on December 2, 2019 by Gene Tunny

The mid-year budget update from the Queensland Government later this month will no doubt contain economic and fiscal forecasts with substantial downward revisions, owing to a weaker national economy and lower coal prices. The state budget forecast a hard coking … Continue reading →

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Qld Gov’t should reconsider Christmas Eve public holiday as it develops its small business strategy

Posted on November 20, 2019 by Gene Tunny

With the Queensland Government now consulting the community on its Small Business Strategy Discussion Paper (see Discussion open for small businesses), it should be reminded it is imposing additional costs on small businesses and discouraging some economic activity through its decision … Continue reading →

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One day left to apply for top Treasury jobs in Qld

Posted on November 9, 2019 by Gene Tunny

I’m very pleased to see that Queensland Treasury is re-structuring itself, with a view to enhancing its economic advisory and research capabilities, something I’ve long advocated for. Applications close just before midnight tomorrow (Sunday 10 November) for a range of … Continue reading →

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Qld single-use plastics ban plan revives memory of UQ Union’s real crockery & cutlery experiment in mid-nineties

Posted on November 8, 2019 by Gene Tunny

Economists are always alert to the potential for adverse unintended consequences of well-meaning policies, so the Queensland Government grabbed my attention recently when it announced it is considering a single-use plastics ban. ABC News has reported: Single-use plastics could be … Continue reading →

Posted in Environment, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

Thoughts on Jackie Trad’s interview by Steve Austin on Qld economy

Posted on October 30, 2019 by Gene Tunny

CommSec’s latest State of the States report which was released Monday reported Queensland in fifth position among Australia’s eight states and territories. On Monday afternoon, 612 ABC Brisbane’s Steve Austin interviewed Deputy Premier-Treasurer Jackie Trad on the state of the … Continue reading →

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Qld-Commonwealth argy bargy over dam funding & vertical fiscal imbalance

Posted on October 16, 2019 by Gene Tunny

The argy bargy over dam funding between the federal and state government reported by the Courier-Mail (State accuses feds of holding out on dam money) earlier this week is yet another illustration of a big problem in our federation: vertical … Continue reading →

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Rookwood Weir business case should be re-worked – first one suggested it’s a poor project, though

Posted on October 4, 2019 by Gene Tunny

Building a downsized 54,000 ML Rookwood Weir in Central Queensland, as the state government is now proposing following an estimated cost blowout, doesn’t appear sensible to me, as agricultural use of the water is critical to the project’s viability, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Agriculture, Uncategorized, Water | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

Economics of apartment living podcast discussion with Dr Stephen Thornton

Posted on October 3, 2019 by Gene Tunny

I’ve just published a new Economics Explained episode in which I interview regular QEW contributor Dr Stephen Thornton on the economics of apartment living: Economics Explained episode 2 – Economics of apartment living Issues discussed include: drivers of rising incidence … Continue reading →

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Lowest confidence in six years – not a happy Friday in Qld

Posted on September 27, 2019 by Gene Tunny

Earlier this year I encountered some resistance at various presentations I gave on the gloomy outlook for the Queensland economy, but I suspect I wouldn’t get much push back now. Today, the Courier-Mail is reporting on its latest YouGov poll results: CONFIDENCE … Continue reading →

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