1345.4 - SA Stats, Mar 2006  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 28/03/2006   
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ABOUT THIS PUBLICATION

This publication provides an overview of the South Australian economy. The overview will be updated on a quarterly basis (in March, June, September and December) and in the intervening months the publication will include feature articles that provide a South Australian focus on economic, social and environmental issues.

The data presented in this publication are an overview of a number of different economic statistics, Explanatory Notes are not included in SA Stats in the form found in other ABS publications. Readers are directed to the Explanatory Notes contained in related ABS publications.

If you have any comments about this product please contact Lisa Moutzouris on ph: (08) 8237 7455 or alternatively e-mail lisa.moutzouris@abs.gov.au.


CONSUMPTION

Household Final Consumption

Household final consumption expenditure increased by 0.5% ($51m) to $9,451m in the December quarter 2005 (in seasonally adjusted chain volume terms).

In terms of percentage change, the components that recorded the largest increases were Purchase of vehicles, up 7.0% ($21m); Hotels, cafes and restaurants, up 2.3% ($17m); and Electricity, gas and other fuel, up 2.1% ($6m). The Operation of vehicles component experienced the largest percentage decrease, down 2.1% ($11m). Comparing December quarter 2005 with December quarter 2004, total household final consumption expenditure in South Australia increased by 2.6% ($238m).

Graph 1: Household Final Cosumption Expenditure, chain volume measures, quarterly percentage change, South Australia
Source: Australian National Accounts (cat. no. 5206.0)

Retail Turnover

In January 2006, the trend estimate for retail turnover increased by 0.2% from the previous month to $1,237.2m. The January 2006 estimate was 0.9% higher than the January 2005 estimate.
Graph 2: Retail Turnover, Trend Estimates, percentage change from previous month, South Australia
Source: Retail Trade, Australia (cat. no. 8501.0)

Of the seven retail industry groups, Other retailing and Food retailing were the only groups to record an increase over the three months to January 2006 (3.1% and 0.9% respectively), while Department stores and Household goods recorded the largest decreases (1.3% and 1.2% respectively).

Graph 3: Retail Turnover by Industry Group, percentage change over last three months, January 2006, South Australia.
Source: Retail Trade, Australia (cat. no. 8501.0)

New Motor Vehicle Sales

From December 2005 to January 2006, the trend estimate for sales of new motor vehicles increased by 0.2% to 5,318 vehicles. The January 2006 trend estimate was 2.1% (113 vehicles) lower than that estimated for January 2005, with passenger vehicles up 0.8% (27 vehicles), sports utility vehicle sales down 7.0% (68 vehicles) and other vehicle sales down 7.1% (72 vehicles).

Graph 4: New Motor Vehicle Sales, South Australia.
Source: Sales of New Motor Vehicles, Australia (cat. no. 9314.0)

INVESTMENT

Private new capital

In the December quarter 2005, private new capital expenditure increased by 1.1% to $1,088m (in chain volume terms). Expenditure on equipment, plant and machinery increased by 0.4% to $803m while expenditure on buildings and structures increased 2.9% to $284m. Comparing December quarter 2005 with December quarter 2004, expenditure on equipment, plant and machinery grew by 1.9%; expenditure on buildings and structures grew by 27.9%; and total private new capital expenditure grew by 7.6%.

Building approvals

The total value of building approvals decreased by 4.6% to $748.5m in the December quarter 2005 (in chain volume terms). Residential building approvals decreased by 1.9% to $458.4m and non-residential building approvals decreased by 8.6% to $290.1m.

The components of residential building approvals are shown in the following graph. The value of new housing approvals decreased by 4.0% to $312.5m in the December quarter 2005 and the value of approvals for new other residential building increased by 8.8% to $75.4m. The value of approvals for alterations and additions (including refurbishment) fell by 2.9% to $70.5m. Comparing December quarter 2005 with December quarter 2004, the value of approvals for total residential building decreased by 6.0% ($29.5m) compared with a 29.6% ($66.2m) increase in the value of non-residential building approvals.

Graph 6: Value of Residential Building Approvals, original, chain volume measures, South Australia.
Source: Building Approvals, Australia (cat. no. 8731.0)

Housing finance

Between November 2005 and December 2005, housing finance commitments increased by 0.1% to $781.9m (in trend terms). Comparing December 2005 with December 2004, housing finance commitments increased by 11.9%.

Graph 7: Housing Finance Commitments (Owner Occupation), South Australia
Source: Housing Finance, Australia (cat. no. 5609.0)
POPULATION

Estimated resident population

The estimated resident population for South Australia was 1,544,685 at 30 September 2005. This was an increase in the estimated resident population of 2,652 since 30 June 2005. During the September 2005 quarter there were 4,652 births and the net overseas migration into South Australia was 1,943. Net interstate migration resulted in a loss of 758 people.
Graph 8: Population Change, Components, September Quarter 2005, South Australia.
Source: Australian Demographic Statistics (cat. no. 3101.0)

LABOUR MARKET

Employed persons

Between January 2006 and February 2006, the total number of employed persons (in seasonally adjusted terms) increased by 0.7% to 747,700. Male employment increased to 409,300, whereas female employment decreased to 338,400. From February 2005 to February 2006 the total number of employed persons increased by 1.7%; male employment increased by 1.6% and female employment increased by 1.8%.
Graph 9: Total Employed, seasonally adjusted, South Australia.
Source: Labour Force, Australia (cat. no. 6202.0)

Unemployment rate

From January 2006 to February 2006 the overall unemployment rate increased from 5.0% to 5.2%. For males, the unemployment rate decreased from 5.6% to 5.2%, whereas for females, the unemployment rate increased from 4.2% to 5.2%.

From February 2005 to February 2006, the overall unemployment rate decreased from 5.3% to 5.2%. For males, the unemployment rate decreased from 5.7% to 5.2%, whereas for females, the unemployment rate increased from 4.7% to 5.2%.
Graph 10: Unemployment Rate, seasonally adjusted, South Australia
Source: Labour Force, Australia (cat. no. 6202.0)

Average weekly earnings

From August 2005 to November 2005, the average weekly earnings for full-time adults (ordinary time earnings) increased by 1.1% to $950.60 per week. Female earnings increased by 1.6% to $891.00 while male earnings increased by 0.7% to $982.40.

Graph 11: Average Weekly Earnings, Full-time Adult Ordinary, South Australia.
Source: Average Weekly Earnings, Australia (cat. no. 6302.0)

CONSUMER PRICES

Consumer price index

The all groups consumer price index (CPI) for Adelaide increased by 0.5% in the December quarter 2005. The all groups CPI for Adelaide was 2.7% higher than that recorded in the December quarter 2004; in comparison, the weighted average of eight capital cities had an increase of 2.8%.

Graph 12: Consumer Price Index - All Groups, percentage change from previous quarter
Source: Consumer Price Index, Australia (cat. no. 6401.0)

In the December quarter 2005, the categories with the largest percentage increases contributing to the CPI movement for Adelaide were Food (2.2%) and Financial & insurance services (1.2%). The categories with the largest percentage decreases were Communication (0.7%) and Transportation (0.6%).
Graph 13, CPI Movement, Adelaide - December Qtr 2005, percentage change from previous quarter.
Source: Consumer Price Index, Australia (cat. no. 6401.0)

INTERNATIONAL TRADE

Exports and imports

In the month of January 2006, the value of merchandise exports decreased by 25.7% to $595.3m (in original terms). The value of merchandise imports increased by 1.8% to $511.2m. Comparing January 2006 with January 2005, the value of exports increased 0.2% and the value of imports increased 14.7%.


Comparing January 2006 with January 2005, the largest positive movements, in terms of the percentage change in the value of exports, were recorded for Petrol (up 26.5%), Metals and metal manufactures (up 18.2%) and Fish & crustaceans (up 14.6%). Road vehicles, parts & accessories decreased by 84.2%. The large percentage decrease recorded for Road vehicles, parts & accessories was largely due to the uncharacteristically higher Road vehicles, parts & accessories exports in January 2005.

Comparing January 2006 with January 2005, the largest positive movements, in terms of the percentage change in the value of imports, were recorded for Petroleum & petroleum products (up 69.6%); and Food, beverages & tobacco (up 27.0%). Categories with the largest negative movements were recorded for Road vehicles, parts & accessories (down 28.4%); and Textiles (down 27.5%). The high percentage change in the value of imports recorded for Petroleum & petroleum products was mainly due to price rises that have occured during the period.