The case for confidence.

Life's pretty good over here in W.A. While the rest of the world is running around like a bunch of headless chooks caught up in recession fever, West Australians are busy getting on with the job of making this state a top-notch place to live.

Everywhere you turn, you'll find confidence. It's in the people. It's in the economy. And no, that's not lavender in the air, that's confidence and a can-do attitude.

In the last few months, surveys have shown that consumer confidence is back to where it was before the global economy went kerplunk. Just take a look at how we're spending our hard-earned cash. Between April and May 2009, retail purchases were up 3.4%* and car sales up 3%*. And according to 59%** of people surveyed, current buying conditions are positive. In fact, property developers are planning on expanding retail businesses over the next five years***. Not bad considering we're supposed to be in the midst of a global financial thingamaggiga.

The mining sector is on the rebound too. Major oil and gas projects are in the pipeline, and $3 million is being invested into exploratory drilling****. So it comes as no surprise that W.A. employers have the highest rate of confidence in Australia. Even one in five international businesspeople***** believe there's nowhere better to be living right now, than right here.

But it's nothing West Australians didn't already know. We're already busy buying up houses and homes in preparation for a brighter future. Real estate sales have jumped by 23%******, and home loan approvals have skyrocketed by 30.8%* in the last year. That's what happens when 56%** of West Australians reckon our economy will go from strength to strength in the next 12 months.

References:

*Chamber of Commerce and Industry - "Economic Trends"; 9 July 2009

**Curtin Business School - "CCI Survey of Consumer Confidence; June quarter 2009

***Press Release - "Development survey shows long-term confidence in WA retail property"; 19 December 2008

****Article - "WA exploration spending"; Louise Wallace; 29 June 2009

*****Press Release - "Nowhere better than Australia to ride out crisis: survey"

******Press Release - "Real estate is safe as houses for investors";
8 July 2009

There's confidence in real estate.

'Doom' and 'gloom'. These are just two words West Australian homebuyers couldn't give a willy-nilly about. While the rest of the world is getting its knickers in a knot over the global financial crisis, W.A. is bucking the trend and getting on with the important stuff. Like buying houses. Real estate sales are up a phenomenal 23%* and home loan approvals have skyrocketed by 30.8%** since last year. In fact, half the people surveyed reckon now is a great time to buy property. It's no wonder really, when you consider that 56%*** of West Australians believe our economy will strengthen in the next 12 months, and consumer confidence levels are soaring higher than a wedge-tail eagle. So if you've had enough of hearing about 'recessions' and 'global financial thingamagiggas', log yourself on to voteconfidence,com.au and let the world know at that when it comes to W.A.'s economy, you're sold.

References:

* Press Release - "Real estate is safe as houses for investors"; 8 July 2009

** Chamber of Commerce and Industry - "Economic Trends"; 9 July 2009

*** Curtin Business School - "CCI Survey of Consumer Confidence; June quarter 2009

There's confidence in mining.

Things in W.A. are purring along smoother than a bulldozer's engine. While most of the world is dealing with that nasty global financial crisis, West Australians are getting on with the job of building a successful state. Just take a look at our mining industry. It's about to bounce back stronger than ever with oil and gas projects in the pipeline, and a $3 million* investment into exploratory drilling. With big projects like these coming up, it's no surprise that W.A. employers have the highest rate of confidence in Australia**. But they're not the only ones feeling good about our future. W.A. farmers are also the most confident in the nation with 30%*** believing business is headed for greener pastures. Retail purchases are up 3.4%****. And real estate sales are up 23%*****. It's this can-do attitude that goes to show W.A. is back in action, and it's time to jump on voteconfidence.com.au and let the world knew what West Australians think about this 'recession' mumbo jumbo.

References:

* Article - "WA exploration spending"; Louise Wallace; 29 June 2009

** Article - "Confidence high among WA employers"; Rebecca Lawson; 24 June 2009

*** Press Release - "Survey reveals higher WA farm confidence"; 31 March 2009

**** Chamber of Commerce and Industry - "Economic Trends"; 9 July 20099

***** Press Release - "Real estate is safe as houses for investors";
8 July 2009

There's confidence in sales.

Ker-ching! There goes yet another retail sale in this great state we call W.A. At a time when our international buddies are too afraid to part with their piggy banks, the sound of the cash register accepting hard-earned dollars should be music to your ears. It means people are working, people are buying, and the economy is ticking along nicely. Just take a look at these nifty statistics. Between April and May 2009, W.A. retail sales rose by 3.4%*, and new car sales went up by 3%*. It's also a great time to buy a big household item, according to 45%** of people surveyed. Not to mention another 59%** believe current buying conditions are positive. W.A.'s love affair with the local shopping centre doesn't seem to be slowing either, with property developers planning on expanding retail businesses over the next five years. Yep, consumer confidence in W.A. is high alright. And it's time to get on voteconfidence.com.au and let the world knew about it.

References:

* Chamber of Commerce and Industry - "Economic Trends"; 9 July 2009

** Curtin Business School - "CCI Survey of Consumer Confidence; June quarter 2009