Qld leading in business confidence

A NEW report shows that Queensland is leading the nation when it comes to business confidence.

The NAB Quarterly Business Survey, released today, shows Queensland's confidence over the December Quarter was at 12 points, well ahead of any other state or territory with South Australia the next best on 2 points.

Deputy Premier and Treasurer Andrew Fraser said the report was one more in a long line of recent good news for the Queensland economy.

"The index shows that confidence in our state is ahead all other states which is great news for Queensland," Mr Fraser said.

"It also shows that business conditions were the second highest in Australia at four points and that Queensland had recorded a large improvement in conditions.

"On the back of news that we'll be returning to surplus one year earlier than expected, as well as a positive rap from both Deloitte Access Economics and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland in the last two weeks, there is every reason to be confident in the state of the Queensland economy," he said.

Mr Fraser said that the Bligh Government was working hard to make Queensland the ideal environment for doing business.

"We know that results like this don't happen by chance, it's through understanding the pressures that are out there for small businesses.

"Queensland has maintained the lowest payroll tax rate in the country, we also have the most competitive overall tax regime for small to medium businesses, as judged by the independent firm, Pitcher Partners."