ADDITIONAL COMMENTARY


MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES PRODUCER PRICE INDEXES

In the September quarter 2012, the Input to the Manufacturing industries price index fell 1.8%, while the Output of the Manufacturing industries price index fell 1.5%. Through the year to the September quarter 2012, the Input to the Manufacturing industries price index fell 2.9%, while the Output of the Manufacturing industries price index fell 1.5%.

Major contributors to the fall in the Input to the Manufacturing industries price index were inputs from the oil and gas extraction (-8.9%), metal ore mining (-2.4%) and primary metal and metal product manufacturing (-3.4%) industries. Products contributing to these falls were crude oil, iron ore and copper concentrates, oxides and ores. Partly offsetting these falls were rises in the inputs from the electricity supply (+6.8%) industry.

Major contributors to the fall in the Output of the Manufacturing industries price index were outputs of the petroleum refining and petroleum fuel manufacturing (-6.7%), alumina production (-13.1%) and iron smelting and steel manufacturing (-5.5%) industries. Products contributing to these falls were unleaded petrol, alumina, and structural steel sections. Partly offsetting these falls were rises in the outputs of the soft drink, cordial and syrup manufacturing (+3.4%), cake and pastry manufacturing (factory based) (+6.2%) and wooden structural fitting and component manufacturing (+2.5%) industries.

CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRIES PRODUCER PRICE INDEXES

INPUT TO THE HOUSE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

Input to the House construction industry rose 0.6% in the September quarter 2012. This follows an increase of 0.4% in the June quarter 2012. The most significant contributors this quarter were rises in prices paid for ceramic products (+4.9%).

All capital cities rose in the September quarter 2012, with price rises ranging from Perth (+0.3%) to Melbourne (+0.9%).

Through the year to the September quarter 2012, the Input to the House construction industry price index rose 1.0%. This rise was mainly attributed to increases in the prices paid for clay bricks (+7.9%), paint and other coatings (+14.6%) and carpet (+4.9%).

OUTPUT OF THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRIES

Output of the Construction industries, Subdivision 30 - Building construction rose 0.2% and Class 3101 - Road and bridge construction rose 0.8% for the September quarter 2012.

Subdivision 30 - Building construction was driven by rises in the prices received for Class 3011 - House construction (+0.6%) which was mainly influenced by Queensland (+3.6%). Class 3020 - Non-residential building construction showed no movement and Class 3019 - Other residential building construction fell 0.1% which was mainly influenced by Northern Territory (-0.8%).

Through the year to the September quarter 2012, the price index of Subdivision 30 - Building construction rose 0.3% driven by increases in the prices received for Class 3011 - House construction (+0.9%). Partly offsetting these through the year rises were falls in Class 3020 - Non-residential building construction (-0.2%) and Class 3019 - Other residential building construction (-0.1%).

The price index for Class 3101 - Road and bridge construction rose 0.8% for the September quarter 2012 which was mainly driven by increases in the prices received for Victoria (+1.1%), Queensland (+0.8%) and New South Wales (+0.8%).

Through the year to the September quarter 2012, Class 3101 - Road and bridge construction rose 4.8%.

SERVICES INDUSTRIES PRODUCER PRICE INDEXES

OUTPUT OF THE ACCOMMODATION AND FOOD SERVICES INDUSTRIES

Output of the Accommodation and food services industries recorded rises for the September quarter 2012 in the prices received for Group 440 - Accommodation (+1.4%) and Group - 451 Cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services (+0.5%).


OUTPUT OF THE TRANSPORT, POSTAL AND WAREHOUSING INDUSTRIES

Output of the Transport, postal and warehousing industries recorded rises for the September quarter 2012 in the prices received for Group 461 - Road freight transport (+2.5%) and Group 521 - Water transport support services (+3.3%). Partly offsetting these rises were falls in prices received for Group 471 - Rail freight transport (-1.4%).


OUTPUT OF THE INFORMATION MEDIA AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS INDUSTRIES

Output of the Information media and telecommunications industries recorded rises for the September quarter 2012 in the prices received for Group 541 - Newspaper, periodical, book and directory publishing (+1.9%) (driven by Class 5411 - Newspaper publishing (+3.3%)).


OUTPUT OF THE RENTAL, HIRING AND REAL ESTATE SERVICES INDUSTRIES

Output of the Rental, hiring and real estate services industries recorded rises for the September quarter 2012 in the prices received for Class 6712 - Non-residential property operators (+0.4%) and Group 661 - Motor vehicle and transport equipment rental and hiring (+1.8%) (driven by Class 6611 - Passenger car rental and hiring (+2.1%)). Partly offsetting these rises were falls in the prices received for Group 663 - Other goods and equipment rental and hiring (-2.7%).


OUTPUT OF THE PROFESSIONAL, SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL SERVICES INDUSTRIES

Output of the Professional, scientific and technical services industries recorded rises for the September quarter 2012 in the prices received for Group 693 - Legal and accounting services (+3.4%) (driven by Class 6931 - Legal services (+6.6%)) and Group 691 - Scientific research services (+3.1%). Partly offsetting these rises were falls in the prices received for Group 700 - Computer system design and related services (-2.9%).


OUTPUT OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE AND SUPPORT SERVICES INDUSTRIES

Output of the Administrative and support services industries recorded rises for the September quarter 2012 in the prices received for Group 721 - Employment services (+1.7%) (driven by Class 7212 - Labour supply services (+1.8%) and Class 7211 - Employment placement and recruitment services (+1.6%)), Group 731 - Building cleaning, pest control and gardening services (+0.8%) (driven by Class 7311 - Building and other industrial cleaning services (+1.2%)) and Group 729 - Other administrative services (+0.1%) (driven by Class 7299 - Other administrative services n.e.c. (+1.3%)).


OUTPUT OF THE PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND SAFETY INDUSTRIES

Output of the Public administration and safety industries recorded rises for the September quarter 2012 in the prices received for Class 7712 - Investigation and security services (+1.3%).


OUTPUT OF THE OTHER SERVICES INDUSTRIES

Output of the Other services industries recorded rises for the September quarter 2012 in the prices received for Class 9533 - Parking services (+1.7%).