The March quarter outcome on inflation of 0.9 per cent was largely influenced by rising petrol prices, which contributed 0.3 per cent to the outcome. General inflationary pressures remain in check, well within the 23 per cent target range.
Todays Consumer Price Index shows that the All Groups CPI increased by 0.9 per cent in the March quarter 2000 and 2.8 per cent in the year to the March quarter.
Over the year to the March quarter 2000, world oil prices have increased by around 120 per cent and petrol prices increased by around 24 per cent. Leaving aside the increase in petrol prices, the CPI rose by 0.6 per cent in the March quarter to be 2.0 per cent higher than a year ago at the lower end of the Reserve Banks target band.
In recent weeks, crude oil prices have fallen significantly on world markets and this has been reflected in lower petrol prices at the pump. If these trends continue, falling petrol prices will put downward pressure on the CPI over the period ahead.
Project home prices increased by 1.6 per cent in the March quarter and by 8.1 per cent over the past year, reflecting recent very strong activity in the residential construction sector.
However, households benefited from a fall in the price of household equipment and operation, which fell 0.4 per cent in the March quarter to be 0.2 per cent lower than a year ago. Clothing prices also fell 0.4 per cent in the March quarter to be 1.4 per cent lower than a year ago, reflecting competitive pressures in this sector. Fresh fruit and vegetable prices fell 2.5 per cent in the March quarter to be 9.2 per cent lower than a year ago.
The combination of moderate wage outcomes, a solid trend in productivity growth and general inflationary pressure remaining in check is evidence of the success of the Governments economic reforms. The implementation of The New Tax System will assist in maintaining Australias strong economic performance.