Tag Archives: queensland

TransLink survey missing an option – reduce public transport subsidy

Posted on September 1, 2014 by Gene Tunny

The TransLink survey on whether carbon tax savings of $30 million should be used to reduce fares or provide more services (see below) is missing an important option: keep fares and services the same, and reduce the massive subsidy to … Continue reading →

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

Builders much more optimistic than current conditions would warrant

Posted on August 26, 2014 by Gene Tunny

Broadly speaking, humans are biased towards being optimistic, and the Master Builders Survey of Industry Conditions for June 2014 is a good example of the optimism bias. Builders across Queensland, and especially in the South-East, are much more optimistic about … Continue reading →

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

Privatisation proceeds should be spent wisely

Posted on August 25, 2014 by Gene Tunny

I have an opinion piece in today’s Courier-Mail on asset sales/privatisation: Corporatisation has brought efficiency gains but there is still room for more gains through privatisation It’s based largely on my speech from a few weeks ago: Productivity and privatisation. … Continue reading →

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

Palmer plan for State split could make sense if part of wider Govt reform

Posted on August 14, 2014 by Gene Tunny

The Palmer United Party’s plan to split Queensland by creating a new State of North Queensland (Palmer MP calls for State split) is worthy of further discussion, particularly if consideration is given to a potentially wider, more valuable reform: the abolition … Continue reading →

Posted in North Queensland | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Unemployment rate is partly a policy choice – cut regulation to create jobs

Posted on August 8, 2014 by Gene Tunny

Upon the retirement of Treasury Secretary Ted Evans in 2001, then Prime Minister John Howard noted: Ted…has been a leading contributor to public debate, particularly issues of structural reform, such as the functioning of the labour market. He highlighted the … Continue reading →

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

Students to rally against bureaucratic inefficiency

Posted on August 6, 2014 by Gene Tunny

While out at the University of Queensland today, I picked up the above flyer in the uni refectory regarding a rally against the new Tertiary Transport Concession Card (TTCC), which is designed to ensure only people genuinely studying can claim … Continue reading →

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

What is the Four Pillars’ share of the Queensland economy?

Posted on August 4, 2014 by Gene Tunny

Last week I noted how Nick Behrens of CCIQ made the good point on Steve Austin’s ABC radio show that the Queensland economy is much more than the so-called four pillars of agriculture, construction, resources (i.e. mining) and tourism. In … Continue reading →

Posted in Agriculture, Mining, Tourism | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Good employment outlook for Qld, but still waiting for strong economic recovery

Posted on August 1, 2014 by Gene Tunny

Steve Austin had a good chat with Nick Behrens from CCIQ yesterday morning on 612 ABC Brisbane, covering the economic outlook for Queensland and the Queensland Plan (What the job market in Queensland will look like in the future). Nick … Continue reading →

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Productivity and Privatisation – panel discussion at Griffith University, Southbank

Posted on July 23, 2014 by Gene Tunny

I was delighted to speak alongside productivity expert Dean Parham at a Griffith University panel discussion earlier tonight on productivity and privatisation. Thanks to Alex Robson of Griffith for organising the excellent, well-attended event. My prepared remarks are below. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Infrastructure, Queensland Government | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Unclear whether Qld Govt will have evidence needed to win asset sales debate

Posted on July 22, 2014 by Gene Tunny

The Queensland Government is right to have begun advertising for advisers on asset sales, to ensure that assets such as CS Energy and Stanwell are sold in a timely fashion after the next election (Government advertises for asset sales advisors). The … Continue reading →

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