The resilience of the Australian economy has given a boost to consumer sentiment.
Radio New Zealand's Sydney correspondent says conventional wisdom is that the prospect of an election tends to make people think twice about spending. But not this time.
Westpac's consumer sentiment index jumped 11% this month - its highest increase in 13 months.
Despite recent worries over European sovereign debt and a double dip recession in the US economy, Australian consumers have taken their lead from domestic influences.
The Reserve Bank of Australia has held cash rates steady for the last two months, unemployment is near record lows and savers are at least cheered that their superannuation balances did not go backwards in the last year.
However, retail spending is starting to slow and sentiment is still very much hostage to the state of the housing market and that looks to be past its best.
