Commerce Queensland has called on the state government to spend its higher-than-expected surplus on addressing the critical skilled labour shortage facing the state and generating a positive business environment built on "sound infrastructure". The state government today announced it anticipated an operating surplus of just over $1 billion in 2004/05, $450 million more than the amount forecast in last year's Budget. Commerce Queensland chief executive Joe Barnwell says the state's infrastructure is suffering despite the state being in a strong financial position. The employer body says the situation is at a "crisis point" and with one million people expected to migrate to Queensland over the next two decades, action needs to be taken. "We face a skills shortage from not identifying needs early enough and not providing sufficient and appropriate training opportunities for our young people," he says. "All this is exacerbated by increasing interstate and international immigration." Barnewall says the forecast surplus is a direct result of higher-than-expected GST revenue, state taxes including payroll tax and stamp duty, and investment returns. "Business helped put our state and this government in its current position. It's only fair government invests back in business, particularly regional businesses," he says.