Manufacturing starts year in positive mood

The manufacturing sector started the year with a bang, strengthening across a range of measures despite an uncertain global economy.

The Westpac-Australian Chamber industrial trends survey says new orders, output and employment strengthened during the March quarter.

Westpac senior economic Andrew Hanlan said manufacturing was benefiting from a strong upswing in new home building and significantly improved competitiveness from a fall in the Australian dollar since mid-2014.