ADDITIONAL COMMENTARY


MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES PRODUCER PRICE INDEXES

In the December quarter 2012, the Input to the Manufacturing industries price index rose 1.1%, while the Output of the Manufacturing industries price index rose 0.9%. Through the year to the December quarter 2012, the Input to the Manufacturing industries price index fell 0.7%, while the Output of the Manufacturing industries price index fell 0.3%.

Major contributors to the rise in the Input to the Manufacturing industries price index were prices paid for inputs from the metal ore mining (+3.9%), oil and gas extraction (+2.8%) and electricity supply (+9.8%) industries. Products contributing to these rises were gold bullion, crude oil, and electricity supply. Partly offsetting these rises were falls in the prices paid for inputs from the agriculture (-3.3%) industry.

Major contributors to the rise in the Output of the Manufacturing industries price index were prices received for outputs of the petroleum refining and petroleum fuel manufacturing (+2.9%) and copper, silver, lead and zinc smelting and refining (+5.3%) industries. Products contributing to these rises were unleaded petrol and lead recovery. Partly offsetting these rises were falls in the prices received for outputs of the other electrical equipment manufacturing (-4.7%) industry.

CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRIES PRODUCER PRICE INDEXES

INPUT TO THE HOUSE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

The price index of Input to the House construction industry increased by 0.3% in the December quarter 2012. This follows an increase of 0.6% in the September quarter 2012. The most significant contributors this quarter were rises in prices paid for timber, board and joinery 0.7% and other metal products 0.5%.

All capital cities rose in the December quarter 2012, with price rises ranging from Brisbane (+0.6%) to Adelaide (+0.1%).

Through the year to the December quarter 2012, the Input to the House construction industry price index increased 1.2%. This rise was mainly attributed to increases in the prices paid for clay bricks (+7.1%), paint and other coatings (+10.8%) and carpet (+5.0%).

OUTPUT OF THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRIES

Output of the Construction industries, Subdivision 30 - Building construction fell 0.1% and Class 3101 - Road and bridge construction rose 0.4% for the December quarter 2012.

Subdivision 30 - Building construction was driven by falls in the prices received for Class 3020 - Non-residential building construction (-0.3%) which was mainly influenced by Queensland (-1.9%). Class 3011 - House construction rose 0.1% and Class 3019 - Other residential building construction rose 0.1% which was mainly influenced by Victoria (+1.6%).

Through the year to the December quarter 2012, the price index of Subdivision 30 - Building construction rose 0.1% 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 (-0.7%) and Class 3019 - Other residential building construction (-0.2%).

The price index for Class 3101 - Road and bridge construction rose 0.4% for the December quarter 2012 which was mainly driven by increases in the prices received for New South Wales (+0.9%).

Through the year to the December quarter 2012, Class 3101 - Road and bridge construction rose 3.9%.

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 December quarter 2012 in the prices received for Group 440 - Accommodation (+6.1%) and Group - 451 Cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services (+0.4%).


OUTPUT OF THE TRANSPORT, POSTAL AND WAREHOUSING INDUSTRIES

Output of the Transport, postal and warehousing industries recorded rises for the December quarter 2012 in the prices received for Group 461 - Road freight transport (+1.4%) and Group 481 - Water freight transport services (+3.1%). Partly offsetting these rises were falls in prices received for Group 471 - Rail freight transport (-0.9%).


OUTPUT OF THE INFORMATION MEDIA AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS INDUSTRIES

Output of the Information media and telecommunications industries recorded rises for the December quarter 2012 in the prices received for Group 541 - Newspaper, periodical, book and directory publishing (+0.5%) (driven by Class 5411 - Newspaper publishing (+0.7%) and Class 5412 - Magazine and other periodical publishing (+0.4%)). Partly offsetting these rises were falls in the prices received for Group 592 - Data processing, web hosting and electronic information storage services (-0.5%) (driven by Class 5922 - Electronic information storage services (-1.3%) and Class 5921 - Data processing and web hosting services (-0.1%)).


OUTPUT OF THE RENTAL, HIRING AND REAL ESTATE SERVICES INDUSTRIES

Output of the Rental, hiring and real estate services industries recorded falls for the December quarter 2012 in the prices received for Group 661 - Motor vehicle and transport equipment rental and hiring (-0.9%) (driven by Class 6611 - Passenger car rental and hiring (-0.8%) and Class 6619 - Other motor vehicle and transport equipment rental and hiring (-1.1%)). Partly offsetting these falls were rises in the prices received for Group 672 - Real estate services (+0.1%) and Group 663 - Other goods and equipment rental and hiring (+0.2%).


OUTPUT OF THE PROFESSIONAL, SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL SERVICES INDUSTRIES

Output of the Professional, scientific and technical services industries recorded rises for the December quarter 2012 in the prices received for Group 700 - Computer system design and related services (+1.5%), Group 693 - Legal and accounting services (+1.1%) (driven by Class 6932 - Accounting services (+2.1%)) and Group 697 - Veterinary services (+0.8%).


OUTPUT OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE AND SUPPORT SERVICES INDUSTRIES

Output of the Administrative and support services industries recorded rises for the December quarter 2012 in the prices received for Group 731 - Building cleaning, pest control and gardening services (+1.6%) (driven by Class 7311 - Building and other industrial cleaning services (+2.0%)), Group 721 - Employment services (+1.0%) (driven by Class 7211 - Employment placement and recruitment services (+1.8%) and Class 7212 - Labour supply services (+0.8%)), and Group 729 - Other administrative services (+0.6%) (driven by Class 7293 - Credit reporting and debt collection services (+1.0%)).


OUTPUT OF THE PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND SAFETY INDUSTRIES

Output of the Public administration and safety industries recorded falls for the December quarter 2012 in the prices received for Class 7712 - Investigation and security services (-1.4%).


OUTPUT OF THE OTHER SERVICES INDUSTRIES

Output of the Other services industries recorded rises for the December quarter 2012 in the prices received for Class 9533 - Parking services (+1.8%).