Population growth is a new bright spot for the Queensland economy amidst another rough national report card placing the state in second last place.
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In a continuation of the status quo, new homes propped up the Queensland economy as economic growth all but stalled in the latest CommSec State of the States report, prompting criticism from the Opposition.
Queensland remained in sixth place overall while managing a second placing on housing starts and 10 per cent below the trend average on construction.
But the state leapt to third overall on population growth, as noted by CommSec chief economist Craig James.
"Queensland is second strongest on dwelling starts and population growth is the fastest in 15 months," Mr James said.
"Both tourism and agricultural exports will provide momentum in coming months and higher coal prices are encouraging."
Queensland Treasurer Curtis Pitt restated the government's position that the report's methodology didn't give an accurate picture.
He said the former mining boom skewed the "normal" growth against which the state's performance was measured.
"CommSec itself has acknowledged that its report looks backwards not forwards. It has also acknowledged its report excludes our trade performance which I have said on a number of occasions has been fuelling a large part of our current economic growth," he said.
"That's why the government's economic plan has focused heavily on boosting our domestic economy which has now turned around as shown by recent State Final Demand figures."
But the state Opposition wasn't encouraged, as Shadow Treasurer Scott Emerson attempted to pin the continued low ranking on the government's "failed policies".
"We're dead last on construction work, which is down almost 20 per cent on the long-run average," he said.
"We've got the second lowest trend economic growth of any Australian state.
"It's just not good enough that we're fighting the likes of Tasmania for the economic wooden spoon when we should be aiming for top spot."
Mr Pitt in turn blamed the former LNP government's "mismanagement".
Nationally, NSW continued to be the nation's top performer, dominating on business investment, retail trade and housing construction.
