The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.2 per cent in the June quarter 2017, the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) figures reveal. This follows a rise of 0.5 per cent in the March quarter 2017.
The most significant price rises for the quarter were medical and hospital services (+4.1 per cent), new dwelling purchase by owner-occupiers (+0.9 per cent) and tobacco (+1.0 per cent). These rises are partially offset by falls in domestic holiday travel and accommodation (-3.2 per cent) and automotive fuel (-2.5 per cent).
The CPI rose 1.9 per cent through the year to June quarter 2017 having increased to 2.1 per cent in the March quarter 2017.
Chief Economist for the ABS, Bruce Hockman, said: "Inflation in Australia remains low. Price falls for automotive fuel; and ongoing competition in the clothing and food retail markets has contributed to this quarter’s result. In addition, the ABS continues to closely monitor the impact of Cyclone Debbie on fruit and vegetable prices. While strong price rises were recorded for select fruit and vegetables such as tomatoes, beans, cucumbers, melons, berries and bananas in the June quarter 2017 - these rises were offset by falls in seasonally available fruits such as oranges, mandarins and apples."
