Canberra's small and medium businesses have given Andrew Barr's government high marks for its support of the local economy.
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The latest Sensis Business Index survey showed support for the ACT government among small and medium businesses jumped 21 points in this quarter, the highest score since 2014.
The results showed a net balance score of +15, the second highest ranking for any Australian state or territory government.
More than twice as many businesses said they felt supported by government at 27 per cent, compared with 12 per cent who said they did not feel supported.
The survey results, released this week, also found 28 per cent of respondents in the ACT think the economy is growing, compared with 14 per cent who think it is slowing. The result is down four points, while Canberra is now the second most confident state or territory on the measure.
Small and medium businesses recorded support the Coalition federal government up by three points, with a +1 score just in the positive range - the equal lowest approval rating of the federal government, after an eight point national rise.
Nationally, confidence among small and medium businesses fell for the second quarter in a row, from +44 to +39 in the survey. The drop was driven by negative sales, employment and profitability results.
Sensis executive general manager, James Ciuffetelli said the Barr government had seen a 26 point improvement in confidence since the last year's ACT election.
"Business owners increasingly feel supported and say that the government is focussed on trying to address their needs.
"ACT business owners remain the most confident in Australia and reported the best sales and profitability results this quarter. No doubt this is also helping to shape the government's positive approval rating," Mr Ciuffetelli said.
The survey records the views of 1000 small and medium businesses around Australia.
"Almost two thirds of businesses are feeling confident, which is five times the number that are feeling worried. Confidence is being driven by strong sales and confidence in the economy," Mr Ciuffetelli said.
"We saw a 20 point reversal in confidence between businesses in the capital cities and those in regional areas this quarter. This was driven by strong results among regional businesses in New South Wales, South Australia and Tasmania."
Support for the federal government is one point off Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's record highest level, with the Coalition's approval rating jumping eight points to +6 rating on a net basis.
