CAPITAL CITIES COMPARISON


ALL GROUPS CPI

At the all groups level, the CPI rose in all capital cities during the September quarter 2012. The largest rises were recorded in Sydney (+1.7%) and Adelaide (+1.5%). The remaining six capital cities recorded rises ranging from 0.7% to 1.3%.

The housing group was the most significant positive contributor to the All groups quarterly movement, recording rises in all capital cities. The largest movement was recorded in Adelaide (+4.6%). The most significant contributor to the rise in the housing group in all capital cities was electricity.

The food and non-alcoholic beverages group was the second largest positive contributor to the All groups quarterly movement, recording rises in all capital cities. The largest movements were recorded in Sydney (+2.7%) and Brisbane (+2.0%) mainly due to increases in vegetables and fruit prices.

The health group was also a positive contributor to the All groups quarterly movement, recording rises in all of the eight capital cities. The largest movements were recorded in Adelaide (+3.5%) and Hobart (+3.0%) driven by increases in medical and hospital services mainly due to the means-testing reforms on the Private Health Insurance rebate. The rises were partially offset by falls in pharmaceutical products for all capital cities.

The transport group was the most significant negative contributor to the All groups quarterly movement, recording falls in all cities with the exception of Darwin (+0.6%). The largest falls were recorded in Melbourne (-1.5%) and Hobart (-1.3%) which were driven by falls in automotive fuel and motor vehicles.

Over the twelve months to the September quarter 2012, the All groups CPI rose in all capital cities with the largest positive movements recorded in Sydney (+2.3%) and Darwin (+2.1%). Hobart (+0.7%) recorded the smallest rise over the twelve months to the September quarter 2012.

All Groups CPI, All groups index numbers and percentage changes
	Index number(a)	Percentage change
	Sep Qtr 2012	Jun Qtr 2012 to Sep Qtr 2012	Sep Qtr 2011 to Sep Qtr 2012
Sydney	102.2	1.7	2.3
Melbourne	101.6	1.2	1.8
Brisbane	101.6	1.1	1.7
Adelaide	101.7	1.5	1.7
Perth	101.6	1.1	2.0
Hobart	100.6	0.7	0.7
Darwin	102.0	1.3	2.1
Canberra	101.4	1.1	1.6
Weighted average of eight capital cities	101.8	1.4	2.0
(a) Index reference period: 2011-12 = 100.0.