Tag Archives: queensland

Economics and environmental law seminar timely given debate over CSG & Galilee

Posted on November 10, 2015 by Gene Tunny

One of the new words we have heard in recent years is “lawfare”, the use of the law as a weapon of war. In Australia, it has been alleged that environmental groups such as the Australian Conservation Foundation and the … Continue reading →

Posted in Agriculture, Environment, Mining | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Queensland businesses remain pessimistic on average

Posted on November 9, 2015 by Gene Tunny

Queensland businesses remain a relatively pessimistic bunch, based on the latest data from the Westpac-CCIQ Pulse Survey, which I have previously argued is the most reliable data on business confidence in Queensland (see my post from June). CCIQ’s media release … Continue reading →

Posted in Macroeconomy | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Townsville ABC radio interview on GST

Posted on November 8, 2015 by Gene Tunny

The GST debate continues, with much attention focused on the regressive nature of the GST. That is, because poorer households typically consume higher fractions of their incomes than richer households, they pay proportionally more of their incomes in GST. Hence … Continue reading →

Posted in Tax | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Tax mix switch to GST desirable and inevitable

Posted on November 2, 2015 by Gene Tunny

I’m very pleased the Turnbull Government is pushing to raise more money from the GST, as this would allow cuts to more inefficient taxes such as income tax and stamp duty, and would be good for productivity and economic growth. … Continue reading →

Posted in Tax | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Transparency needed around luring film productions such as Thor: Ragnarok to Qld

Posted on October 25, 2015 by Gene Tunny

In its final report on government industry assistance (i.e. corporate welfare) released in August, the Queensland Competition Authority recommended an end to the lack of transparency that still, alas, characterises Queensland Government industry attraction measures. This lack of transparency was … Continue reading →

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

Qld regions have been struggling and not just the mining ones

Posted on October 22, 2015 by Gene Tunny

Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill’s alleged lack of success in bringing new infrastructure projects to the city may become a major issue in the mayoral election in March next year, based on a report in today’s Townsville Bulletin. The Mayor may … Continue reading →

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

Residential property a “bright spot” in Qld economy

Posted on October 13, 2015 by Gene Tunny

The Queensland Treasurer Curtis Pitt correctly noted yesterday that “The property sector is a real bright spot in the Queensland economy and it’s making a positive contribution to jobs and growth.” This is confirmed by data and casual observation. Regarding … Continue reading →

Posted in Housing, Macroeconomy | Tagged , , , , , | 8 Comments

Energy GOCs equity raid a good example of problem with public ownership

Posted on October 8, 2015 by Gene Tunny

I was quoted in the Courier-Mail this morning regarding the $3.5 billion the Queensland Government has withdrawn from equity in its power businesses (see chart above) for the purposes of paying down debt (see Earnings grab quick debt fix, Pitt … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget, Energy | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Courier-Mail opinion piece on daylight saving

Posted on October 6, 2015 by Gene Tunny

I have an opinion piece on daylight saving published in today’s Courier-Mail, arguing it is time for a new trial of summer time in Queensland, at least for South-East Queensland, as the economic costs (including the opportunity cost of lost … Continue reading →

Posted in Brisbane, North Queensland, Queensland Government | Tagged , , | 12 Comments

Can Do, the Campbell Newman biography by Gavin King

Posted on October 4, 2015 by Gene Tunny

Former Cairns MP Gavin King’s just published Campbell Newman biography Can Do (which includes two quotes from me on p. 220 and 267) makes an important contribution to the economic reform debate in Australia. After telling the story of Campbell … Continue reading →

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