POPULAR WORDS

Queensland's economy is continuing to motor ahead with state economic growth more than double the rest of Australia in the first quarter of 2004/05 according to Premier Peter Beattie. Beattie says state accounts for the September 2004/05 quarter recorded 0.9% economic growth compared to just 0.4% for the rest of Australia. He also says Queensland's growth for the 2003/04 year has now been revised upwards from 3.9% to 4.5%. "Today's figures paint a wonderful picture of just how strong the Queensland economy is at the moment and offer extra encouragement for the calendar year ahead," Beattie says. "They follow the mid-year review released earlier this month which showed the state's finances were in excellent shape matched by an economy that continues to shine." Beattie says Queensland has "outstripped" the rest of Australia in most economic areas during the quarter. He says private investment grew 2.7% with the rest of Australia recording no growth. Business investment grew 6.5% while the rest of Australia fell by 0.1%. "Queensland exports grew 1.2%, the highest growth achieved since the beginning of 2002, while the growth in the rest of Australia was minimal at 0.3%," he says.