{podcast} Overview: Business conditions rose to a record high in March, driven by strong increases in all sub-components – which are now also all at record highs. The strength in conditions is evident across all states and industries. Forward orders – which also rose to record levels – points to ongoing strength in activity with the pipeline of work rising further. While business confidence edged lower in the month, it remains at a high level, suggesting that firms themselves are optimistic that the strength in activity will continue. Alongside the strength in activity, capacity utilisation rose further in the month ... (full story)