CAPITAL CITIES COMPARISON


ALL GROUPS

At the All groups level, the CPI rose in all capital cities this quarter. The highest positive movement was in Darwin (+1.1%) followed by Brisbane (+1.0%) and Hobart (+1.0%). All other cities increased between 0.5% and 0.9%.

The housing group was the highest positive contributor in all cities. The highest increases were in Brisbane (+2.8%) and Hobart (+2.8%). All other cities increased between 1.5% and 2.4%. The increases were due to rises across all cities in water and sewerage. Electricity also recorded increases in all cities except Melbourne. The drop in Melbourne was due to the impact of the winter energy concession. Property rates and charges, and rents also increased across all cities.

The alcohol and tobacco group recorded the second highest positive contribution in all cities. Brisbane, Adelaide and Darwin had the highest increases of 3.3%. All other cities increased between 2.3% and 3.1%. The major contributors to the increase were a flow on effect of the 25% increase in excise tax for tobacco implemented on 30 April 2010 as well as the rise in the rate of federal excise on 1 August 2010.

The household contents and services group also contributed to the quarterly movement. The highest increase was in Melbourne (+1.2%) and Canberra (+1.2%). All other cities saw increases except for Darwin (-0.6%) and Perth (-0.1%). The increases were predominantly due to the cessation of specials that occurred in the last quarter.

The transportation group was the largest negative contributor to the quarterly movement. Adelaide (-1.2%) had the largest decrease. The negative movement was led by automotive fuel which registered drops in all eight capital cities from 0.3% to 4.5%.

Over the twelve months to September quarter 2010, the all groups CPI rose in all capital cities. The highest positive movement was in Melbourne and Perth (+3.1%) due to relatively higher increases in housing, alcohol and tobacco and education in those capital cities. Canberra (+2.1%) recorded the lowest positive movement.

CPI, All groups index numbers and percentage changes
	INDEX NUMBER(a)	PERCENTAGE CHANGE
	Sep Qtr 2010	Sep 2009 to Sep 2010	Jun Qtr 2010 to Sep Qtr 2010
Sydney	172.5	2.6	0.8
Melbourne	170.5	3.1	0.6
Brisbane	179.1	2.9	1.0
Adelaide	176.6	2.6	0.9
Perth	174.0	3.1	0.5
Hobart	172.4	2.8	1.0
Darwin	171.9	2.3	1.1
Canberra	173.4	2.1	0.6
Weighted average of eight capital cities	173.3	2.8	0.7
(a) Base of each index: 1989-90 = 100.0.