CHANGES TO CONSUMER PRICE INDEX IN MARCH QUARTER:

Quarterly change (followed by annual change in brackets)

  • Consumer Price Index – up 2.1 per cent in quarter (up 5.1 per cent annually)
  • Food and non-alcoholic beverages – up 2.8 per cent (up 4.3 per cent)
  • Alcohol and tobacco – up 1.1 per cent (up 1.8 per cent)
  • Clothing and footwear – down 0.6 per cent (down 1.5 per cent)
  • Housing – up 2.7 per cent (up 6.7 per cent)
  • Furnishings, household equipment and services – up 1.1 per cent (up 4.9 per cent)
  • Health – up 2.3 per cent (up 3.5 per cent)
  • Transport, including fuel – up 4.2 per cent (up 13.7 per cent)
  • Communication – up 0.3 per cent (down 0.8 per cent)
  • Recreation and culture – up 0.6 per cent (up 3.0 per cent)
  • Education – up 4.5 per cent (up 4.7 per cent)
  • Insurance and financial services – up 0.5 per cent (up 2.7 per cent)

(Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics)

Colin Brinsden, AAP Economics and Business Correspondent
(Australian Associated Press)

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is general in nature and does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Please consider whether the information is appropriate to your circumstance before acting on it and, where appropriate, seek professional advice.