Queensland State Government remains the least popular among Australian SMBs

26 November 2018: The September Quarter 2018 Sensis Business Index, set to be released Tuesday 27 November, has revealed that the Queensland (QLD) State Government remains the least popular among small and medium businesses (SMBs) of all states and territories.

The report, which measures the SMB activity, expectations and confidence over a three-month period, found that despite seeing a one point increase in confidence of the QLD Government in the June Quarter 2018 report, the net balance of -15 sits six points behind the next least confident state (Northern Territory -9) and a massive 48 points below the most popular (Australian Capital Territory +33).

The results mark the 15^th consecutive negative balance recorded by Queensland small and medium businesses when looking at support for their State Government, with a positive balance last seen in December 2014.

While support for the Federal Government also fell four points to a net balance of -1, sitting four points below the national average, confidence levels remained high.

Sensis Chief Executive Officer, John Allan, said: "When it comes to overall confidence, small and medium businesses in the sunshine state are reporting above average results, with a score of +44 – two points above the national average"

"What the report has uncovered is confident SMBs in Queensland feel positive due to healthy sales, while those who expressed concerns cited cost pressures and falling sales as driving factors behind their lack of confidence," Mr Allan said.

All five key performance indicators (sales, employment, wages, prices and profitability) improved in Queensland last quarter, with sales sitting above any other state or territory, reaching +12, a huge 11 points above the national average.

"A theme we have found when looking at the results of the Sensis Business Index over time is that business confidence in Queensland continues to grow and the state has maintained a seat among the more confident states and territories in the country for some time. This could be indicative of a growing economy as a result of an increased population."

Other interesting findings from the report:

• Businesses in Brisbane CBD were far less confident than in the previous report, falling 12 points to +45, while confidence in regional areas lifted two to +43, seven points above the national (regional) average of +36
• Expectations for key performance indicators for this quarter were all positive, lifting for sales (+34), prices (+24) and profitability (+22)
• 27% of QLD small and medium businesses feel the economy is growing, while 14% believe it is slowing – resulting a net balance of +13 to sit two points above the national average

Key performance indications – QLD