John Stanford, a TJRyan Research Associate, writes about the recent Queensland State budget. Jon Stanford is an economist who writes regularly on current economic matters and financial history. He graduated B Econ (Hons I), UQ and PhD, University of Leicester. Jon is a Life Member of the Economic Society of Australia and was awarded a Centenary Medal in 2003. After a long career as an academic, Jon worked in the private sector for eight years and is now an independent consultant.