PRICES

CONSUMER PRICE INDEX

The all groups consumer price index (CPI) for Brisbane increased by 2.9% in the 12 months to March 2007, compared to a 2.4% rise in the weighted average of the eight capital cities. Brisbane's CPI rose by 0.4% between the December quarter 2006 and the March quarter 2007 and for the same period, the weighted average of the eight capital cities rose by 0.1%.

In the March 2007 quarter, the categories with the largest percentage increases were Education (6.5%) and Health (4.7%). The decrease in the cost of bananas contributed to the fall in food prices (-2.6%). Recreation (-0.7%) and Household contents and services (-0.5%) also experienced falls in prices between the December 2006 quarter and the March 2007 quarter.

For more detailed information on the consumer price index, please refer to Consumer Price Index, Australia (cat no. 6401.0) or ring the National Information and Referral Service on 1300 135 070. This publication is released quarterly.