ADDITIONAL COMMENTARY

MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES PRODUCER PRICE INDEXES

In the March quarter 2013, the Input to the Manufacturing industries price index fell 0.1%, while the Output of the Manufacturing industries price index rose 0.2%. Through the year to the March quarter 2013, the Input to the Manufacturing industries price index rose 0.3%, while the Output of the Manufacturing industries price index fell 0.3%.

Major contributors to the fall in the Input to the Manufacturing industries price index were prices paid for inputs from the metal ore mining (–2.5%), basic chemical and chemical product manufacturing (–4.2%) and food product manufacturing (–3.3%) industries. Products contributing to these falls were gold bullion, silver and zinc ores, and other inorganic chemicals. Partly offsetting these falls were rises in the prices paid for inputs from the oil and gas extraction (+5.1%) and agriculture (+2.8%) industries.

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 (+1.8%) and other basic non-ferrous metal manufacturing (+4.5%) industries. Unleaded petrol was the main product contributing to these rises. Partly offsetting these rises were falls in the prices received for outputs of the sugar manufacturing (–9.5%) industry.

CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRIES PRODUCER PRICE INDEXES

INPUT TO THE HOUSE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

The price index of Input to the House construction industry rose by 0.1% in the March quarter 2013. This follows an increase of 0.3% in the December quarter 2012. The most significant contributors this quarter were rises in prices paid for ceramic products 0.9% and plumbing products 0.9%.

Three capital cities increased in the March quarter 2013, with price rises ranging from Brisbane (+0.7%) to Sydney and Adelaide (+0.1%).

Through the year to the March quarter 2013, the Input to the House construction industry price index increased 1.4%. This rise was mainly attributed to increases in the prices paid for clay bricks (+6.6%) and paint and other coatings (+10.9%). These rises were partially offset by decreases in the prices paid for plaster and plaster products (-7.6%).

OUTPUT OF THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRIES

Output of the Construction industries, Subdivision 30 – Building construction rose 0.8% and Class 3101 – Road and bridge construction rose 0.6% for the March quarter 2013.

Subdivision 30 – Building construction was driven by rises in the prices received for Class 3011 – House construction which rose 1.9%, which was mainly influenced by Victoria (+5.1%) and Western Australia (+1.4%). Class 3019 – Other residential building construction rose 0.1%, while Class 3020 – Non-residential building construction recorded no change over the March quarter 2013.

Through the year to the March quarter 2013, the price index of Subdivision 30 – Building construction rose 1.1% driven by increases in the prices received for Class 3011 – House construction (+2.8%) and Class 3019 – Other residential building construction (+0.3%). Partially offsetting these through the year were falls in Class 3020 – Non–residential building construction (–0.1%).

The price index for Class 3101 – Road and bridge construction rose 0.6% for the March quarter 2013, which was mainly driven by increases in the prices received for Queensland (+0.6%), Victoria (+1.0%) and New South Wales (+0.5%).

Through the year to the March quarter 2013, Class 3101 – Road and bridge construction rose 3.2%.

SERVICES INDUSTRIES PRODUCER PRICE INDEXES

OUTPUT OF THE ACCOMMODATION AND FOOD SERVICES INDUSTRIES

Output of the Accommodation and food services industries recorded falls for the March quarter 2013 in the prices received for Group 440 - Accommodation (-0.9%) and rises in the prices received for Group - 451 Cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services (+0.5%).


OUTPUT OF THE TRANSPORT, POSTAL AND WAREHOUSING INDUSTRIES

Output of the Transport, postal and warehousing industries recorded falls for the March quarter 2013 in the prices received for Group 461 - Road freight transport (-1.0%) and Group 481 - Water freight transport services (-2.9%).


OUTPUT OF THE INFORMATION MEDIA AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS INDUSTRIES

Output of the Information media and telecommunications industries recorded rises for the March quarter 2013 in the prices received for Group 592 - Data processing, web hosting and electronic information storage services (+2.9%) (Driven by Class 5921 - Data processing and web hosting services (+3.6%)) and Group 541 - Newspaper, periodical, book and directory publishing (+1.0%) (Driven by Class 5411 - Newspaper publishing (+1.4%)).


OUTPUT OF THE RENTAL, HIRING AND REAL ESTATE SERVICES INDUSTRIES

Output of the Rental, hiring and real estate services industries recorded rises for the March quarter 2013 in the prices received for Group 672 - Real estate services (+0.5%) and Class 6712 - Non-residential property operators (+0.3%). Partly offsetting these rises were falls in the prices received for Group 663 - Other goods and equipment rental and hiring (-0.7%) and Group 661 - Motor vehicle and transport equipment rental and hiring (-0.8%) (Driven by Class 6611 - Passenger car rental and hiring (-1.5%)).


OUTPUT OF THE PROFESSIONAL, SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL SERVICES INDUSTRIES

Output of the Professional, scientific and technical services industries recorded rises for the March quarter 2013 in the prices received for Group 695 - Market research and statistical services (+2.1%), Group 697 - Veterinary services (+0.8%) and Group 700 - Computer system design and related services (+0.7%).


OUTPUT OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE AND SUPPORT SERVICES INDUSTRIES

Output of the Administrative and support services industries recorded falls for the March quarter 2013 in the prices received for Group 721 - Employment services (-0.9%) (Driven by Class 7212 - Labour supply services (-1.1%) and Class 7211 - Employment placement and recruitment services (-0.2%)). Group 731 - Building cleaning, pest control and gardening services (-0.3%) (Driven by Class 7312 - Building pest control services (-1.4%)).


OUTPUT OF THE PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND SAFETY INDUSTRIES

Output of the Public administration and safety industries recorded falls for the March quarter 2013 in the prices received for Class 7712 - Investigation and security services (-0.2%).


OUTPUT OF THE OTHER SERVICES INDUSTRIES

Output of the Other services industries recorded rises for the March quarter 2013 in the prices received for Class 9533 - Parking services (+2.2%).