Cairns mobility takes a huge hit as lock-out continues

The impact on mobility in Cairns, as measured by the average of the Google Mobility Indexes, as NSW, Victoria and (briefly) Cairns itself went into lock down has been dramatic. Despite Cairns’ own lockdown lasting just 3 days the effect of the continued lock down in the South, which has …read more

Another look at what’s driving participation rate changes in the QLD regions

We have updated our occasional look at the factors driving Participation Rate changes in the regions of Queensland for the latest data to July. Full details of the methodology used for this analysis can be found on a previous post. This latest analysis considers changes in PR since Jan 2019. …read more

Q2 GDP +0.7% …… but does it really mean much?

The second quarter GDP data released this morning was better than many had been expecting with a 0.7% q/q lift which (after some small upward revisions to previous quarters) takes us to a heady 9.6% up from the same period a year ago. Over the past 4 quarters GDP is …read more

Employment projections show Regional QLD doing well over next 5 years

The National Skills Commission has released their employment projections out to November 2025 (based on ABS industry employment data to Nov 2020). These provide us with a look at what the Commission are expecting in terms of employment growth and which industry sectors are likely to see what growth. The …read more

QLD bucks the trend of falling building approvals with a 9% gain in July

Across the nation residential building approvals fell 8.6% m/m in July and are now up 21.5% for the year. House approvals are up 27.3% for the year while units are up 11.3%. The only state to buck the declining pattern was Queensland where we saw a 9.0% m/m improvement which …read more

The race is on to vaccinate the North

As I noted in my post last week (see here) it is vital, if the Far North is to survive over coming months and flourish ‘on the other side of COVID’, that we ensure a high level of vaccination to ensure visitors, and locals, can feel as safe as possible …read more

Employment lifts in Cairns in July as the unemployment rate remains at 5.0%

This month again sees employment improving in Cairns. Participation improved slightly (+0.3 ppts) and the Conus/CBC Staff Selection Trend unemployment rate is now at 5.0%, which is a little above the Queensland average of 5.2%. Annual Trend employment growth has turned positive (+3.2%) although this is still relatively weak when …read more

Thoughts on Cairns’ COVID future

I’ve been approached by The Cairns Post for some thoughts on where Cairns might be heading in our COVID future and how best we can get there, and what the ‘clear path’ might be. I’m certainly no health expert, but their question forced me to put pen to paper and …read more

JobSeekers fall in Queensland in July

Data released today by the Dept of Social Services show that JobSeekers (those receiving JobSeeker and Youth Allowance (other) payments) fell in July in Queensland by 6.1% m/m; this was the best performance of all States and Territories. Across Australia JobSeekers were down just 2.1% due to an increases in …read more

Employment edges higher in July despite lockdowns

Against the expectations of many employment lifted slightly in July, up by 2,200 (there was at least one notable exception to the those expecting a fall; Justin Smirk at Westpac was calling for a lift in employment and his note is well worth reading for insight into why today’s numbers …read more

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