Business confidence in Queensland tops country

For the fourth straight month businesses in Queensland have recorded the highest level of confidence in the nation, according to the latest NAB monthly business survey released today. 

Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment, Curtis Pitt, said the March survey results saw business confidence in Queensland at +11 points – ahead of all other States and well above the national average of +7. 

“Not only is this the fourth straight month we have topped the NAB survey, it also means Queensland businesses have returned the highest or second-highest confidence rating for 25 of the last 27 months in the survey,” Mr Pitt said. 

He said business confidence in NSW was at +6 points and Victoria at +7 points on the NAB’s survey scale. 

“The NAB survey is yet another sign that businesses across the state has confidence in the Queensland economy which is forecast to have among the strongest growth rates in the nation this financial year,” Mr Pitt said. 

“Businesses would be aware that this government is strongly focused on boosting the state’s business sector to encourage growth and create jobs.” 

The Treasurer said the Government was supporting businesses across the State through a range of programs including the $100 million Back to Work regional jobs program which will support up to 8,000 jobs for Queenslanders. 

This has been supported by the Back to Work Youth Boost program targeting job creation for young Queenslanders which runs until 31 October 2017. 

“The government has also doubled our payroll tax incentive for Queensland businesses that employ apprentices and trainees which makes it more attractive for employers to hire and keep apprentices and trainees and grow their businesses,” he said. 

“We’re also delivering our Advancing Small Business Queensland Strategy to help small business start, grow and employ.” 

The NAB survey showed Queensland’s trend business conditions index rose five points in March to +11, just slightly below the national average of +12. 

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