PRICES

CONSUMER PRICE INDEX

The all groups consumer price index (CPI) for Brisbane increased by 3.9% in the 12 months to December quarter 2007, compared to a 3.0% rise in the weighted average of the eight capital cities. The higher result in Brisbane is largely due to an 8.2% rise in Housing, substantially higher than the 4.8% increase for the weighted average of the eight capital cities.

Brisbane's CPI rose by 1.1% between the September quarter and the December quarter 2007 and for the same period, the weighted average of the eight capital cities rose by 0.9%.

In the December 2007 quarter, the categories with the largest percentage increases in Brisbane were Transportation (2.3%), Financial and insurance services (2.0%) and Housing (1.9%). Health (-1.3%) and Food (-0.6%) experienced falls in prices between the September quarter and the December quarter 2007. The decreases in the Health and Food indexes are largely due to decreases in pharmaceuticals and fruit and vegetables, respectively.

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.