Melbourne's extended lockdowns have hampered Australia's economic recovery by making consumers nervous and less likely to spend money. Westpac chief economist Bill Evans said Victoria's two-week Covid restrictions, ending on Friday, caused a sharp drop in a key consumer sentiment reading. Melbourne's extended lockdowns have hampered Australia's economic recovery by making consumers nervous and less likely to spend money. Westpac chief economist Bill Evans said Victoria's two-week Covid restrictions, ending on Friday, had caused a sharp drop in a key consumer sentiment reading. Lygon Street picturedThe Westpac-Melbourne Institute consumer sentiment reading score of 107.2 points was still above the 100 level where there are more optimists than pessimists.

Source: Daily Mail June 09, 2021 04:46 UTC