Qld business confidence down: report

Business confidence in Queensland has stalled because of a fear the state government isn't doing enough to help the economy, a new report suggests.

The Westpac Group CCIQ Pulse Survey of Business Conditions showed that, in the December quarter, 44 per cent of businesses expected the state's economy to weaken over the next 12 months - well up on the same time last year.

"Confidence in the Queensland economy deteriorated with both China and the perceived inaction of the state government on the economy and infrastructure dampening business sentiment," the report said, referring to China's slowing growth.

Shadow Treasurer John-Paul Langbroek pounced on the comments about the government and figures showing business confidence had fallen almost 10 points (51 to 41.1) in the last year.

"The Palaszczuk Labor Government's lack of plan and complete inaction is one of the biggest drags on business confidence," Mr Langbroek said.

He also rubbished comments Treasurer Curtis Pitt made on Wednesday night, spruiking the state's economy using Australian Bureau of Statistics figures ahead of other surveys that painted the government in a negative light.

"Instead of confronting these concerns and outlining his plan for boosting confidence, the treasurer has yet again buried his head in the sand," Mr Langbroek said.

Mr Pitt said the Australian Bureau of Statistics' "hard data" showed building approvals rose almost 27 per cent in the past year and merchandise exports also increased.

"There is a myriad of surveys undertaken each month on economic conditions and outlooks, and all use different questions and methods," Mr Pitt said.

"I am not denigrating any of them, but nothing beats hard data from institutions like the Australian Bureau of Statistics."

Deputy Premier Jackie Trad insisted the state's low trend unemployment rate of 5.9 per cent trumped any business confidence surveys, including the latest Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland report.

"I think we should go to the independent umpire when it comes to business confidence and that's the unemployment figures here in Queensland - they are at a record two-year low," she said.

"If businesses weren't confident, they wouldn't be hiring."