Corn ethanol – policy lessons from Iowa election
This week electors in the Iowa caucus voted in the primary election for United States (US) presidential candidates. As has ...
10 February, 2016
Driving the Queensland Economy
The Queensland economy expanded last year despite a large contraction in business investment, and substantial falls in global resource prices. ...
04 January, 2016
Road Pricing
The Australian road network is fundamental for society’s economic and social needs. The Harper Competition Policy stated that “Reform ...
18 December, 2015
Five points on tax reform
The tax reform discussion has already started to narrow in on specific changes, such as increasing the GST, closing superannuation ...
17 November, 2015
Artwork and antiques: “priceless’’ but not price-less
The past few years have seen many governments confront public debt crises. In light of this, creditors have started suggesting ...
21 October, 2015
Port of Darwin privatisation triggers new regulatory regime
On 15 October 2015, the Northern Territory (NT) Government announced the successful bidder for the Port of Darwin - Landbridge ...
20 October, 2015
QCA Draft Decision: Queensland Rail Draft Access Undertaking
On 8 October 2015, the QCA released its draft decision on Queensland Rail’s (QR’s) most recent draft access undertaking proposal ...
13 October, 2015
Bad Questions and Better Questions for the Australian Economy
There are two economic questions Australians should stop asking. Despite seeming relatively innocuous, they are often loaded with biases from ...
24 September, 2015
Business leaders get the wrong end of the stick
Queensland is experiencing tough times. Recently released official figures show the domestic portion of the economy is contracting. However, these ...
10 September, 2015
Let’s party: How do events impact on economic well being?
The benefits of sporting and cultural events are typically discussed in terms of their impacts on gross domestic product, employment ...
23 June, 2015
China-Australia FTA: Miracle or Mirage
The China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA) has been promoted as a landmark economic achievement with our biggest trading partner and ...
21 May, 2015
Australia’s economic challenges in three graphs
Australia is a prosperous nation. In the decade to 2012 we reaped the benefits of a terms of trade boom ...
18 May, 2015
Re:think or repeat? Australia’s tax system needs a better vision
Deteriorating economic conditions are making tax reform more essential than ever. The underlying budget deficit is widening as the resources ...
05 May, 2015
Google Bus – is Google to blame for rising rents in San Francisco?
Rents close to Google bus stops have increased by 20-30% and local residents are up in arms. How should San ...
05 January, 2015
Unlocking the value of nature based tourism in Western Australia
Western Australia has a wealth of natural beauty and unique landscapes in the state’s national parks, state forests and marine ...
23 September, 2014
WSAA Report: Improving Economic Regulation of Urban Water
A recent report prepared by Frontier Economics for the Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA) compares the current regulatory ...
17 September, 2014
Uber-powerful Monopolies & their Discontents
Taxis are an important component of Queensland’s transport system, bridging the gap where private or public transport is not available ...
26 August, 2014
If money doesn’t make you happy, then you probably aren’t spending it right
People can spend money to buy many sources of happiness, such as living longer and healthier lives and having leisure ...
15 July, 2014
Water markets enter a new phase with first trade in environmental water
The Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder (CEWH) has recently announced that it will commence trading some of the Government’s 1700 giga ...
17 February, 2014
Development of cities
Urbanisation will be one of the most important drivers of economic growth of this century. Latest United Nations figures reveal ...
06 February, 2014
Time to consider private water trusts for managing environmental water
In a previous Synergies Insight article we commented on the implications of the Commonwealth’s recent entry into water markets as ...
02 February, 2014
Charity Bins
When you drive past your local charity bins, it is not uncommon to see a mountain of broken white goods, ...
04 November, 2013
Competitive tendering in resource allocation
Market forces can be applied in resource allocation or service delivery decisions by Governments through competitive tendering. The use of ...
30 September, 2013
The freedom to hose your driveway
A friend of mine is a big fan of air conditioning and the clothes dryer, even when it is sunny. ...
25 March, 2013
Is High Price a Rip – off?
An article in the Courier Mail reported that an iconic rock band was charging fans to meet the band at ...
23 March, 2013