Regions in good mood

BUSINESS confidence in regional Tasmania has risen to overtake Hobart, according to the latest Sensis Business Index Survey.

The survey, released today, shows business confidence in regional Tasmania is up 23 points to 48, while Hobart fell 35 points to 31.

Tasmania’s overall score was up five points to 43, although the state remains below the national average.

Confidence in Hobart was at its lowest since June, 2009, with businesses much more likely to be struggling, Sensis chief executive John Allan said.

But confidence in regional Tasmania had overtaken Hobart for the first time since June 2014.

Mr Allan said the index, drawn from the views of 1000 small and medium businesses nationally, also showed business support for the State Government’s policies had dropped 16 points to 2.

Tasmanian businesses criticised the Government for “excessive bureaucracy”, but just as many saw the Government as supportive and interested in small business’s needs.

“Despite the drop, the Tasmanian Government remains the most popular state or territory government and the only government with a positive score,” Mr Allan said.

Tasmanian small and medium businesses were also the most likely to access finance — 21 per cent compared with the national average of 10 per cent.