Tag Archives: queensland

Lockdowns podcast chat with Senator Malcolm Roberts

One thing that has really shocked me during the pandemic is just how heartless, inconsistent, and hypocritical government policy can be, even when it is directed at promoting the greater good. The latest example of that is obviously the Queensland … Continue reading

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All going down together

What an awful month it’s been so far. For the first time in 12 months, the Gold Coast airport had no flights one day earlier this week, as reported by the Courier-Mail. Businesses across the country are pleading for help. … Continue reading

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Higher coal prices helping Qld economy and state budget in this time of rolling lockdowns

Coking and thermal coal prices have recovered massively from their pandemic-induced lows in 2020, providing much-needed help to the Queensland economy and state budget in this time of rolling lockdowns. In the chart below are the one-month and twelve-month-ahead futures … Continue reading

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Brisbane Olympics interview with Grafa’s Grady Wulff

As well as keeping track of the worsening COVID-19 situation, I’ve spent much of this week thinking about the economic consequences and costs and benefits of the 2032 Brisbane Olympics. I was pleased to chat yesterday with Grafa’s Grady Wulff … Continue reading

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Worthy petitions on Olympics and Restoring Democracy in Qld

Now that Brisbane has won the 2032 Olympics we need to avoid the Winner’s Curse and do our best to deliver it cost-effectively while maximising the benefits and spreading them across Queensland, so the Olympics doesn’t only benefit the promoters, … Continue reading

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Regional concerns over 2032 Brisbane Olympics

The Queensland Premier, Brisbane Lord Mayor, and federal Sports Minister are flying to Tokyo for the Olympics, to make the final pitch for Brisbane to host the Games in 2032, although we’re the preferred bidder and apparently the only city … Continue reading

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Managing government budgets podcast chat with Rachel Nolan, former Qld Gov’t finance minister

Former Queensland Government Finance and Transport Minister Rachel Nolan (currently Queensland Executive Director of the McKell Institute) provides some great insights into managing government budgets in my latest Economics Explored episode EP96 Managing Government Budgets. For example, here’s Rachel on … Continue reading

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Premier’s Estimates appearance illustrates my point at ASPG seminar at Parliament House in June

Exhibit A regarding the woefulness of Queensland’s Parliamentary Committee process and the lack of accountability of executive government in this state is the appalling budget estimates committee meeting today, during which the Premier would not disclose whether taxpayers would pay … Continue reading

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4BC interview on lowest unemployment rate in over ten years

I had a good chat with Scott Emerson on his 4BC Drive program this afternoon about the June ABS Labour Force estimates released today which showed the national unemployment rate falling to 4.9%, the lowest rate since December 2010. The … Continue reading

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Does government understand business and realise the huge costs of lockdowns?

The reports from the Sydney lockdown are grim. The lockdown is imposing a huge cost on affected businesses. The financial assistance offered today by the federal and NSW governments may be insufficient for many businesses (e.g. see Sydney CBD restaurants … Continue reading

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