Tag Archives: queensland

QCA and Premier’s Department have shown where Government can find budget savings

Posted on December 14, 2015 by Gene Tunny

The need for difficult decisions to repair Queensland’s Budget is reinforced by news that, due to the drop in coal prices and a slower economy, revenue will be further written down by $1.5 billion over the next four years. The … Continue reading →

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

Surprisingly good jobs data shows economy’s resilience

Posted on December 11, 2015 by Gene Tunny

I am quoted in today’s Courier-Mail regarding yesterday’s surprisingly good jobs data published by the ABS (e.g. see chart above): In a sign the state is working through the mining downturn, there have been 50,800 jobs added since the Palaszczuk … Continue reading →

Posted in Labour market, Macroeconomy, Tourism, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Doubts about capabilities of public servants in contract management worldwide

Posted on December 8, 2015 by Gene Tunny

The Economist last week reported on British Chancellor George Osborne’s ambitious plan to remake the British Government, and it observed (in U-turns and new turns): “By 2020 departments will be too cash-strapped to run things; public administration will be far … Continue reading →

Posted in Productivity, Queensland Government, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Harper Competition Policy Review – guest post by Rod Bogaards

Posted on December 3, 2015 by Gene Tunny

The Queensland Parliament’s passage of the retrograde sugar bill that was put forward by Katter’s Australian Party is a strong sign that we should not hold much hope for sensible economic policy coming out of this hung parliament (see Brisbane … Continue reading →

Posted in Industry policy, Retail trade, Transport, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Building construction rebounded in September quarter, but still below previous highs

Posted on November 26, 2015 by Gene Tunny

All the cranes on the Brisbane skyline, from the Valley and Newstead, to West End, Milton and Toowong, might suggest there is a building boom underway. Certainly activity is increasing in the building industry. Building construction work done in Queensland … Continue reading →

Posted in Housing, Mining, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Courier-Mail’s Paul Syvret on my “coldly commercial prism”

Posted on November 22, 2015 by Gene Tunny

Thanks to the Courier-Mail’s Paul Syvret for quoting my last post in his Saturday opinion piece on the proposed new 1,500 seat theatre for Brisbane (see Opinion: New inner-city theatre would be a boost for Brisbane, which may be behind … Continue reading →

Posted in Arts, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

New 1,500 seat theatre would likely be a waste of taxpayers’ money

Posted on November 19, 2015 by Gene Tunny

The Queensland Government is commissioning a relatively large business case, at a cost of $1.3 million, for a new 1,500 seat theatre for Brisbane, but it is likely there can be no plausible business case, because the theatre would be a … Continue reading →

Posted in Arts, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

QIRC hearing important case on retail trading hours

Posted on November 17, 2015 by Gene Tunny

The Queensland Industrial Relations Commission is currently considering an application from the National Retail Association, which represents big retailers such as Coles and Woolworths, for standardised trading hours across South East Queensland, which would extend opening hours, e.g. up to … Continue reading →

Posted in Retail trade, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Qld employment growth is great news, but it is still not strong from historical perspective

Posted on November 13, 2015 by Gene Tunny

Wisely, Queensland Treasurer Curtis Pitt did not get too excited over yesterday’s employment numbers, which were surprisingly strong at a national level, with the Treasurer noting, regarding the State unemployment rate, “While it’s welcome news that the seasonally adjusted unemployment … Continue reading →

Posted in Labour market | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Brisbane ABC radio interview on raising the GST

Posted on November 10, 2015 by Gene Tunny

I had a good chat this morning with Terri Begley on 612 ABC Brisbane regarding proposals to raise more revenue from the GST: What raising the GST actually means I noted that raising the GST and cutting more inefficient taxes … Continue reading →

Posted in Tax | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments