According to the nation’s peak industry group, Australia’s manufacturing sector delivered its highest monthly growth in almost 30 years. The Australian Industry Group’s (Ai Group) Australian Performance of Manufacturing Index (pdf) rose by 1.4 points to 63.2 points in June, which is the highest score since the Index began in 1992. “The 2020-21 financial year closed on a high note for Australia’s manufacturing sector,” Ai Group CEO Innes Willox said in a statement. The performance was driven by rapid expansion in food and beverages, machinery and equipment, building materials, and chemicals manufacturing, which pushed all four to hit record highs. At the same time, another two measured sectors also grew. Businesses that directly supplied to the construction industry reported the strongest results and were working to rapidly expand their services to keep up with demand. “The strength of the recovery continued despite headwinds from COVID outbreaks and associated lockdowns and …