CAPITAL CITIES COMPARISON

At the All groups level, the CPI rose in all capital cities this quarter. Darwin registered the highest increase with a rise of 1.1%, while the remaining cities rose by between 0.3% and 0.8%.

Transportation, household contents and services and housing were the three main positive contributors in all cities except Hobart, where the contribution of the health group was higher than that for housing.

Price rises in the transportation group were driven by increases in automotive fuel prices in every capital city. This group was the largest positive contributor in both Melbourne and Perth.

Household contents and services group was also a significant contributor to the quarterly movement showing increases in all cities. It was the highest or second highest contributing group in all capital cities. Price increases for the household contents and services group ranged from 1.7% in Melbourne to 3.1% in Brisbane.

The housing group rose in seven out of eight capital cities. It was the highest positive contributor in Sydney, recording a movement of 1.1%. Adelaide (-0.6%) was the only city to register a fall in housing.

Both the health group and the clothing and footwear group showed increases in all capital cities.

Food and financial and insurance services groups recorded falls in all cities.

The food group was the largest negative contributor in all cities except Perth. In Perth it was the third highest negative contributor with the financial and insurance services group and the recreation group providing greater negative contributions. Food prices fell in all cities ranging from 0.3% in Darwin and Perth to 1.4% in Sydney.

Every capital city experienced falls in the financial and insurance services group, ranging from 1.2% in Brisbane, Adelaide, Hobart and Darwin to 1.8% in Sydney.

The larger overall quarterly increase for Darwin was mainly due to the increase in the recreation group, where it was the most significant positive mover, rising 3.2%. This was mainly due to increases in domestic holiday travel and accommodation. Alcohol and tobacco also increased more than other cities. In addition, Darwin registered a smaller offset in food prices.

Over the twelve months to June quarter 2009, the All groups CPI rose in all capital cities with the increases ranging from 1.2% in Melbourne to 2.5% in Darwin. The higher result in Darwin is largely due to stronger than average rises in housing, food, alcohol and tobacco and household contents and services.

CPI, All groups index numbers and percentage changes
	INDEX NUMBER(a)	PERCENTAGE CHANGE
	Jun Qtr 2009	Jun 2008 to Jun 2009	Mar Qtr 2009 to Jun Qtr 2009
Sydney	166.3	1.3	0.4
Melbourne	164.4	1.2	0.3
Brisbane	171.8	2.0	0.6
Adelaide	170.3	1.6	0.6
Perth	167.4	1.4	0.8
Hobart	165.7	1.7	0.5
Darwin	164.8	2.5	1.1
Canberra	168.4	2.1	0.6
Weighted average of eight capital cities	167.0	1.5	0.5
(a) Base of each index: 1989-90 = 100.0.