Aussie consumer sentiment grows

A measure of Australian consumer sentiment bounced modestly this month as worries over family finances warred with growing optimism about the economic outlook. The survey of 1,200 people by the Melbourne Institute and Westpac Bank yesterday found consumer sentiment rose 2.5 per cent this month from last month when it dropped 1.2 per cent. “Pressures on family finances, concerns around interest rates, deteriorating housing affordability and rising energy prices have all weighed on confidence,” said Westpac chief economist Bill Evans.