wo-thirds of Australian businesses have lost turnover as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Consumer confidence has plunged to levels not seen since the recession of the early 1990s. And the projected rise in unemployment points to a drawn-out recovery. The fluid nature of the crisis makes it difficult for economists and policymakers to offer concrete forecasts. But the ABS is publishing more regular and targeted datasets in an attempt to minimise the uncertainty. The below five charts are taken from its latest COVID-19 business survey and show how the virus has already affected Australian businesses.
