Monthly Archives: July 2010

A chart we’re bound to see again before election day

Posted on July 29, 2010 by Gene Tunny

The ABS today released an impressive compendium of migration data, featuring this striking chart showing the surge in net overseas migration (NOM) – i.e., people coming here from overseas less those leaving for overseas: The ABS observes: Over the past … Continue reading →

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The new metrosexuals: cashed up tradies

Posted on July 28, 2010 by Gene Tunny

The influence of David Beckham is ever encroaching on the bastions of manliness, and now it’s North Queensland tradies who are heading to the beauty salon for facials and full body waxes.  The Cairns Post reports on how this is … Continue reading →

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Ask a silly question, get a silly answer

Posted on July 26, 2010 by Gene Tunny

Queensland Treasurer Andrew Fraser is absolutely correct to dismiss the CommSec report claiming the Queensland economy is currently the worst performing in the country (well, equal last with NSW).  Mr Fraser observed (see Sunshine State economy ranks last): “I don’t … Continue reading →

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Important facts for the national population debate

Posted on July 25, 2010 by Gene Tunny

Developing economies will add 1.5 billion workers to the global economy over the next four decades, while, in the absence of immigration, developed economies would lose 250 million workers, according to UN Population Projections. As a result, there is a … Continue reading →

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Smoking may be banned in the Queen St Mall

Posted on July 22, 2010 by Gene Tunny

If you’d like to vote in an election in which you have some (albeit slim) chance of influencing the final result, then get to a polling station on the Queen St Mall in the next few weeks and vote for … Continue reading →

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Looks like those rainwater tank rebates worked

Posted on July 21, 2010 by Gene Tunny

Nearly two in five Queensland households have rainwater tanks, according to new ABS data (Qld Water and Energy Use and Conservation): There were 628,900 households in Queensland in October 2009 with a rainwater tank at their dwelling. This represented 38% … Continue reading →

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Fashioning the Future – Australian Cotton Conference 2010

Posted on July 20, 2010 by Gene Tunny

The Murray Darling Basin Plan, due for release sometime this year, is expected by many to include large reductions in water allocations across the Basin, with potentially adverse impacts on irrigated agriculture, including cotton, which is a major contributor to … Continue reading →

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Brisbane a metropolis of 2 million

Posted on July 20, 2010 by Gene Tunny

The greater Brisbane region passed a milestone population of 2 million people in 2008-09, according to data featured in the ABS’s Qld Stats publication released yesterday: During the year to June 2009, Brisbane statistical division reached the population milestone of … Continue reading →

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NRL recognises Ipswich corridor’s potential

Posted on July 15, 2010 by Gene Tunny

Driving through Camira and Springfield last weekend, I was struck by how strong the support for the Broncos rugby league team is out in the Ipswich region, with many fans flying small Broncos flags from their cars.  Hence the NRL … Continue reading →

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Lord Mayor confident Brisbane can meet growth challenges

Posted on July 14, 2010 by Gene Tunny

Brisbane’s Lord Mayor Campbell Newman is an optimistic man.  In a lunchtime talk today at the University of Queensland’s downturn offices on Queen St, Mr Newman argued that the population challenges the greater Brisbane region is facing over the next … Continue reading →

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