Australian Consumers Price Index: March 2008 Quarter
23 April 2008
The Consumers Price Index rose 1.3% in the March quarter 2008, compared with a rise of 0.9% in the December quarter. For the year to March quarter 2008 the CPI rose 4.2%.
The most significant contributors to the quarterly increase were automotive fuel (+5.4%), pharmaceuticals (+13.1%), house purchase (+1.7%), electricity (+6.0%), rents (+2.0%), and other financial services (+2.0%). Offsetting these gains were decreases for furniture (-3.6%), audio, visual and computing equipment (-5.8%), domestic holiday travel and accomodation (-1.4%) and accessories (-5.3%).
In response, the AUD has moved towards 25 year highs.