Consumer confidence rose in October, helped by optimism about Malcolm Turnbull's rise to the prime ministership. The Westpac/Melbourne Institute index showed consumer sentiment rose by 4.2 per cent in October to 97.8 points, staying below 100 points, indicating there are still more pessimists about the economy than optimists. Westpac chief economist Bill Evans said the result was a little short of what he was expecting given the government's strong boost in the polls following the leadership change. "Given that politics is probably the most significant factor in the result it is noteworthy that the index is 11.6 per ... (full story)