By Denis Bright  

In our predominantly private sector economy, the trend-lines in commercial investment help chart the way forward against the much-publicised headwinds at home and abroad.

ABS obliged with the release of the March Quarter Data for Private Capital Expenditure on 30 May 2019 based on the usual survey of a representative sample of business ventures, large and small (ABS 5625.0):

The investment trend-lines varied across different sectors of the Australian economy as reported in the ABS notes on the new data.

By asset type, the trend estimates for buildings and structures fell 1.4% while equipment, plant and machinery rose 0.4%. The seasonally adjusted estimate for total new capital expenditure was down by 1.7% in the March quarter 2019.

The bright spot was investment in plant and machinery which was assisted by investment write-offs from the 2018 budget which are to be extended in the current financial year.

The significance of last week’s data was re-enforced by the release of the National Accounts for the March Quarter on 5 June 2019.

The National Accounts data adds a snapshot of the components of the +0.4 per cent change to seasonally adjusted GDP in the March Quarter. This would have been a good discussion starter if released during the recent election campaign.

GDP data was kept out of negative territory in the March Quarter 2019 positives for both Government Final Consumption Expenditure (GFCE) and Household Consumption (HFCE) and a very favourable growth in the Export Sector on the back of improved terms of Trade which rose by 6 per cent over the previous year in seasonally adjusted terms.

There was scant evidence of the vibrantly strong economy which had been the keynote of the LNP’s election rhetoric.

Public sector investment (GFCF-Pub) had been stoked up in previously published quarterly data.

Ironically, the alleged spending excesses of state and territory governments made their own contribution to the trend-lines in consumer expenditure in the March Quarter. Somewhat concealed in the mix for the March Quarter was the continued decline in private sector investment (GFCF-Priv) which should be the forte of any centre-right government in command of the economic agenda.

Greg Jericho’s articles in The Guardian (4-6 June 2019) interpret trend-lines in annual rates of Private New Capital Expenditure.

There is a well-argued case for stoking up ailing private sector investment in Australia.

Greg Jericho is positive about new capital expenditure for 2019-20 for 2019-20.  Time will tell if the projected 21 per cent increase in new capital expenditure eventuates in this era of trade war between the two global economic superpowers with its inevitable impact on Australia.

Our middle-sized economy has a stake in both sides of the trade war era. China and her key Asian trading partners are our major source of net commodity and service export income. The US is the major source of net overseas investment and the protector of the stability of the existing Australian economic model rather than a dynamic source of sustainable growth and economic diversification which might be fostered by closer ties with Asia.

Speaking from London, Prime Minister Morrison was well aware that a real problem exists now that the election results are almost finalised (Jacquelin Magnay in the Australian Online 5 June 2019):

Scott Morrison has warned trade conflict between the US and China is testing the global trading system and putting prosperity and the living standards of billions of people at risk, just hours before meeting US President Donald­ Trump at D-Day commem­orations in Britain.

Ahead of a series of meetings with British counterpart Theresa May and Mr Trump, the Prime Minister said the global trading system was under real and sustained pressure and the US and China were testing the system as never before.

Despite the time lags in the data available on the RBA Charts now available for June 2019, it is surely Net Capital Inflow for new investment which is the emergent weak-spot in the Australian economic perspectives.

Our situation is summed up in The Conversation on 20 May 2019:

Usually, it’s Labor that inherits an economy turning down. This time, it’s the Coalition. And because of regular updates from the Reserve Bank and the Bureau of Statistics strikingly at odds with their public position that the economy is strong, they ought to be finely attuned to it.

Economic growth, the catch-all that is supposed to show us where the economy has been and where it is headed, is frighteningly small.

The Treasury’s best estimate of potential growth – how strongly the economy could be growing over time if things were well managed – is 2.75% per year.

The reality, for the two most recent quarters for which we have data, is 0.3% and 0.2%.

While new overseas investment can make a positive contribution to our investment short falls, a progressive Australian government should be critically aware of the limitations of resource commitments to projects like the ADANI mine or reliance on investment from the US and UK Military Industrial Complexes as agendas for positive change.

Australia will not diversify into a global financial hub by directing more public resources to negative gearing of real estate investment or share market wagers that offer cash-back for retirees and others.

Let’s hope that the current global trading problems foster a more independent spirit from LNP leaders who are temporarily in control of the policy levers.

In his address to the Australia-UK Chamber of Commerce on 4 June 2019, Prime Minister Morrison offered support for investment of $30 million by the Scotland’s Brewdog in a new plant in Brisbane.

Cheers to Queensland’s place in a new beer-led recovery as Brewdog joins Carlton and United, Tooths, Tooheys, Castlemaine Perkins, Tasmanian Breweries – which was Boags and Cascade, Coopers, South Australian Brewing, Swan and Courage.

As Brewdog expands its international operations, let’s hope that the federal LNP will now take-up the firm’s commitment to a living wage for its enthusiastic employees (Brewdog Online 2019):

We are seeking people with a true passion for craft beer and a recognition that their fellow students deserve better. You’ll be the creator of great ideas, amazing activations and will be happy to get your hands dirty to ensure every job is 100% complete and nailed on.

In return, we’ll pay you the Living Wage for your hours worked (plus National Insurance contribution if you are over 21). We will also supply you with merch and clothing to look the part, a discount in our BrewDog Bars, and another kind of study to do – we’ll support you in taking the Cicerone® Certified Beer Server Exam.