The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.2 per cent in the March quarter 2015, following a rise of 0.2 per cent in the December quarter 2014, according to data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) today. The CPI rose 1.3 per cent through the year to the March quarter 2015, following a rise of 1.7 per cent through the year to the December quarter 2014. The reading is flattered by a significant fall in fuel.
The underlying rate was 2.4%, right within the RBA target range, a little higher than expected, and as such it will more than likely tip the RBA in “hold” territory next month, when coupled with better than expected previous employment data, and hot Sydney property. Moreover, little evidence that a further cut would change the picture much (other than reducing savers ability to spend).
The most significant price rises this quarter were in domestic holiday travel and accommodation (+3.5 per cent), tertiary education (+5.7 per cent) and medical and hospital services (+2.2 per cent), These rises were partially offset by falls in automotive fuel (—12.2 per cent) and fruit (—8.0 per cent). The decrease in fuel was registered in all fuel types with the quarterly fall the largest since December 2008 and over the twelve months to March 2015, automotive fuel has decreased by 22.5 per cent. This is the largest yearly fall in the history of the series, beginning in September 1973.
