Today's balance of payments data show that Australia posted a current account deficit (CAD) of $12.7 billion or an estimated 6.7 per cent of GDP in the June quarter 2003. The widening in the CAD over the past year has been driven by Australia's strong economic performance relative to our trading partners and the adverse impact of the drought. Rural exports have fallen by around 27 per cent through the year to the June quarter 2003.
In the June quarter a combination of factors adversely affected Australia's export performance. In particular, rural exports declined by $437 million. Services exports also fell in the wake of the SARS epidemic and international security concerns. Growth in imports was modest in the June quarter of 2003, although imports of capital goods grew strongly. Around $1 billion in civil aircraft was imported in the June quarter as major airlines continued their programs of fleet expansion and renewal.
The increase in capital goods imports in the June quarter follows the strong growth in investment in Australia over the past year. Despite weak global conditions, today's capital expenditure survey for June 2003 shows that investment increased by a very strong 18.8 per cent in 2002-03. The latest estimate of expected capital expenditure also implies a solid outlook for investment in 2003-04.
Net foreign debt declined to $359 billion in the June quarter of 2003. The general government accounted for a modest 3.1 per cent of net foreign debt in the March quarter 2003. Australia's ability to service its net foreign debt is the strongest in more than 20 years, with the debt servicing ratio falling to 8.3 per cent of export income in the June quarter.
Australia's external financial position remains very sound, underpinned by the Government's strong record of fiscal management and the good financial standing and risk management practices of the private sector. These sound economic fundamentals are reflected in Australia's foreign currency credit ratings being upgraded to `AAA' by both Standard and Poor's and Moody's in the past year.
As compared with previous cyclical highs in the CAD, Australia's economic fundamentals are much stronger. In particular, interest rates are at 30-year lows, inflation is moderate, government debt has been dramatically reduced and the Commonwealth Budget is in surplus. With weather conditions improving, rural exports are expected to substantially improve in 2003-04 with grain exports returning to average levels. Signs of recovery in the global economy will also be positive for export growth.