Qld MPs at war over economy survey

Like the dress that was either blue or white depending on who was looking at it, both sides of Queensland politics are staring at the same picture of the economy and seeing very different things.

What's not up for debate is that the latest Sensis Business Index, published on Thursday, shows small and medium business confidence in Queensland fell during the March quarter by five points to hit a +30 rating, which was below the +35 national average.

But whether the figures are good or bad news for the state is, apparently, in the eye of the beholder.

Treasurer Curtis Pitt says the report shows the economy is broadly moving "in the right direction" thanks to the government's business support package, while Shadow Treasurer John-Paul Langbroek insists it shows businesses believe the government is working against them.

The difference in opinion draws parallels with a viral phenomenon last year dubbed "Dressgate", where millions of people argued over whether a dress in a photo posted online was black and blue or white and gold.

Mr Pitt says the Sensis survey supports the government's economic plan because the +30 confidence rating, while falling slightly over the last quarter, was still far ahead of the +10 rating at the same time last year.

"The broad trend in a range of surveys since the 2015 state election ... has been in the right direction and we will continue to focus strongly on creating the right business conditions for our post-mining boom economy," he said.

Mr Pitt said the five-point drop was also consistent with the four-point drop that had occurred nationally.

He also pointed out the report said businesses were optimistic about the months ahead.

But Mr Langbroek painted an entirely different picture, saying the report showed Queensland businesses issued a -17 rating about their attitude towards state government polices, which was worse than the -15 rating during the December quarter.

The report also showed 29 per cent of the 171 Queensland businesses surveyed thought the government was working against small business.

"The Sensis survey is the latest economic report to indicate the Palaszczuk Labor government's lack of vision is hurting the economy," Mr Langbroek said.