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

 

CHANGES TO CONSUMER PRICE INDEX IN DECEMBER QUARTER:

Quarterly change (annual change)

* Consumer Price Index – up 1.3 per cent in quarter (up 3.5 per cent annually)

* Food and non-alcoholic beverages – up 0.7 per cent (up 1.9 per cent)

* Alcohol and tobacco – up 0.9 per cent (up 1.1 per cent)

* Clothing and footwear – up 2.6 per cent (down 0.3 per cent)

* Housing – up 1.8 per cent (up 4.0 per cent)

* Furnishings, household equipment and services – up 1.1 per cent (up 3.6 per cent)

* Health – down 0.3 per cent (up 3.3 per cent)

* Transport, including fuel – up 2.8 per cent (up 12.5 per cent)

* Communication – up 0.1 per cent (down 0.5 per cent)

* Recreation and culture – up 1.5 per cent (up 2.1 per cent)

* Education – up 0.1 per cent (up 0.6 per cent)

* Insurance and financial services – up 1.2 per cent (up 2.2 per cent)

(Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics)