Chief executives remain positive about the prospects for the Australian economy, despite the government succeeding only on the reliance of independent members after an inconclusive general election left the country in political limbo for days, according to fresh data released today.

The latest Business Spectator Accenture CEO Pulse survey revealed a 16 per cent increase in optimism about the economy, while chief executives who are neither optimistic nor pessimistic were down to 14 per cent, from 29 per cent in August.

The report, however, noted that optimism about the prospects for the CEOs' own organisations in the next 12 months has declined slightly, partly because of the lack of skilled staff.

More than one in five survey respondents said they have felt some impact sue to a shortage of specific skills, including finding specialist staff to take on a new business or project, the report said.

According to Business Spectator, the staffing issue remains the most likely to keep chief executives awake at night, at 64 per cent, the highest level this year, suggesting that while all parts of the economy are thriving, one immediate downside is the looming skills shortage, which may lead to major gaps in the workforce.

The five minute survey involving 56 chief executives of organisations with an Australian turnover of $100 million or more was conducted over the phone or online between September 14 and September 24, 2010.

The Research design and analysis for the CEO Pulse was conducted by GA Research and fieldwork by AFS.