The Westpac-Melbourne Institute index of consumer sentiment released on Wednesday rose 2.0% in September, recouping some of August’s 4.4% drop. Sentiment rebounded by 5.3% in New South Wales after the state government flagged a loosening of restrictions as early as mid-October, at least for those fully vaccinated. The national index was up 13.2% on September last year with the mood never getting as bleak as during the first round of the pandemic. The index reading of 106.2 showed optimists outnumbered pessimists by some margin. “The resilience of consumer sentiment in a period when Australia’s two major cities have been locked down and the economy has been contracting is truly remarkable,” said Westpac chief economist Bill Evans. ADVERTISEMENT “The improving vaccine situation appears to be a key factor behind these results.” Evans noted confidence amongst the 57% of respondents that have had at least one dose was running at 103.7, while confidence amongst the 27% that were unvaccinated but willing to get the jab was up at 121.6. That left 16% of respondents who were either unwilling to be