SYDNEY, May 21 (Reuters) - Australian consumer sentiment dipped in May, a survey showed on Tuesday, as renewed cost-of-living pressures and inflation concerns offset the government's relief measures on energy bills and rent unveiled in the federal budget.
The Westpac-Melbourne Institute index of consumer sentiment slipped 0.3% in May, from April when it fell 2.4%. The index reading of 82.2 showed pessimists outnumbered optimists, much as it has for months now.
"Consumer sentiment remains deeply pessimistic," Westpac Senior Economist Matthew Hassan said.
