CAPITAL CITIES COMPARISON


ALL GROUPS

At the All groups level, the CPI rose in all capital cities this quarter. Darwin rose 0.9%, while all other cities were in the range of 1.3% to 1.5%.

Automotive fuel was the main contributor in all cities except Melbourne and Adelaide, where it ranked second to electricity. The housing group rose strongly in all cities, with either or both house purchase and rents contributing strongly to the increases. Food prices also rose strongly in all cities.

The lower result for Darwin was mainly due to a combination of smaller than average increases in food, housing, education, transportation, health and financial and insurance services.

Over the twelve months to March quarter 2008, the All groups CPI rose in all capital cities with the increases ranging from 3.9% in Sydney and Darwin to 4.8% in Brisbane. The higher result in Brisbane is largely due to stronger than average rises in housing, with less significant contributions from financial and insurance services and transportation.

CPI, All groups index numbers and percentage changes
	Index number(a)	Percentage change
	Mar Qtr 2008	Dec Qtr 2007 to Mar Qtr 2008	Mar Qtr 2007 to Mar Qtr 2008
Sydney	161.7	1.4	3.9
Melbourne	160.6	1.3	4.4
Brisbane	165.6	1.3	4.8
Adelaide	165.5	1.5	4.5
Perth	162.5	1.4	4.3
Hobart	161.3	1.3	3.8
Darwin	158.5	0.9	3.9
Canberra	163.0	1.4	4.6
Weighted average of eight capital cities	162.2	1.3	4.2
(a) Base of each index: 1989-90 = 100.0.