Tag Archives: queensland

Better to let the private sector risk money on a new Brisbane theatre

In a November 2015 post New 1,500 seat theatre would likely be a waste of taxpayers’ money, I questioned the desirability of a state government-funded $1.3M business case to investigate a new 1,500 seat theatre for Brisbane. At the time, … Continue reading

Posted in Arts, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Upcoming AIIA talk on Asian tiger & tiger cub economies and impacts on Qld and Australia

When I first started studying economics in the early nineties, the international economies that mattered most to Australia were Japan, then beginning its lost decade, and the US, the winner of the cold war and the undisputed global economic and … Continue reading

Posted in China, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

How did the Qld government accumulate so much debt?

One of Queensland Deputy Premier-Treasurer Jackie Trad’s biggest challenges in her first state budget, to be delivered next month, is to demonstrate a credible debt reduction strategy. She needs to show how she can reduce state debt from its current … Continue reading

Posted in Budget, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

My comments on excessive growth in senior public service jobs in today’s Courier-Mail

Steven Scott from the Courier-Mail has done a terrific job of revealing the huge growth in the senior echelons of the Queensland public service since the change of state government in early 2015 (see Palaszczuk Government’s massive senior public servant … Continue reading

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

Stadiums Qld is a financial drain

The Sunday Mail yesterday hinted the Queensland government may replace the current board of Stadiums Queensland, given that the allegedly high charges for the use of its stadiums, such as Suncorp, are causing financial issues for football clubs. I must say I … Continue reading

Posted in Industry policy, Infrastructure, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 13 Comments

Qld economy well positioned in 2nd quarter 2018, esp. given Commonwealth Games

We are now in the second quarter of 2018, and it’s a good time to review the economic outlook for Queensland. Job vacancy data released by the ABS last Thursday were very encouraging, and suggest the current economic upswing, encompassing … Continue reading

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International education booms in southern states – Qld sector growing nicely, but can do even better

In the vicinity of my office at the Johnson on Boundary St, Spring Hill, it appears that Queensland’s international education sector is booming. During weekday lunch times, Boundary St is usually teeming with students, mostly East Asian, studying at the … Continue reading

Posted in Tourism, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Huge financial sustainability challenges for Qld’s remote Indigenous councils

Queensland’s remote Indigenous councils are facing huge financial sustainability challenges, with the councils typically running large operating deficits, averaging nearly 20 percent of revenue, and running down their asset base to survive (see figure below), according to the Queensland Audit … Continue reading

Posted in North Queensland, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

4BC Dora the Explorer interview & ABC News coverage of my CBIC analysis

Dora the Explorer interview with Ben Davis on 4BC Yesterday afternoon I had an enjoyable chat with Ben Davis on his 4BC wireless show Brisbane Live regarding the state government’s use of taxpayers’ money to lure the live action Dora … Continue reading

Posted in Brisbane, Industry policy, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Will 2018 be the year for Airbnb certainty in strata? Guest post by Stephen Thornton

Anyone living in an apartment block has probably noticed the increasing numbers of strangers with rolling suitcases who are obviously staying in Airbnb accommodation. Living in a Toowong apartment tower, I am frequently having to help short-term visitors find their … Continue reading

Posted in Housing, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments