Businesses are enjoying their brightest period since before the 2008-2009 global financial crisis, even though planned company tax cuts seem a long way off.
Gauges for both conditions and confidence jumped in National Australia Bank's January business survey, building on the solid improvement seen at the tail end of 2016.
The outcomes point to a further improvement in the domestic economy after the soft patch during the September quarter last year when growth went into reverse.
"What we're seeing is a business outlook which wants to get on with things and do things," a jubilant Treasurer Scott Morrison told parliament on Tuesday.
"That's why, on this side of the House, we are backing business and in particular small businesses, who we want to support to pay less tax."
The employment index in the report rose to its highest level in six years.
NAB chief economist Alan Oster said the result was encouraging given the disappointing outcomes in the labour market of late.
Official employment figures are due on Thursday.
Business confidence is also running at a three-year high.
"If sustained it could see firms revise up their capital expenditure and hiring plans," Mr Oster said.
However, South Australian businesses are far from happy, faced with unreliable and costly energy
A 12-strong posse - the Committee of Adelaide - descended on Canberra on Tuesday for talks with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and the treasurer.
Committee chief executive Jodie van Deventer told reporters after the meeting other parts of Australia were not immune to the electricity blackouts that have rocked her state.
"In many respects we are the canary in the coal mine," she said.
Mr Turnbull said the committee told him how difficult it was to attract new business to the state because of its reputation for unreliable electricity.
"Power has become a daily conversation in South Australia," Mr Turnbull later told parliament.
The group is also urging SA senator Nick Xenophon and his team to back the government's 10-year plan to cut company taxes.
Delegation leader Colin Goodall said the tax incentives were needed to encourage companies to grow and employ, otherwise the state's jobless numbers would start rising.
But the NXT is only committed to reduce the tax rate for companies with an annual turnover up to $10 million.
Asked whether he would support cuts for bigger firms, Senator Xenophon said: "Not at this stage. We think they should be deferred".
The government needs nine of the 10 crossbenchers to support its $50 billion plan that would set the company tax rate at 25 per cent tax rate in a decade's time.
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