Ai Group has collected and analysed over 1 500 pieces of detailed feedback from surveys, emails, meetings and conversations during 2021. Businesses told us:

• The first half of 2021 saw a solid period of recovery. At the start of the year a majority of businesses 60 reported positive conditions but over one third 37 were still reporting negative conditions.
• Conditions weaken from June following the fifth lockdown in Victoria Activity paused from August.
• By August almost two thirds 64 of businesses reported negative conditions and only one third 31 of businesses were still reporting positive conditions
• The manufacturing sector reported an easing of conditions in August but remained positive.
  Construction and the services sectors all saw local conditions deteriorate rapidly as lockdowns extended.