COMMENTARY


STAGE OF PRODUCTION (SOP) OVERVIEW

In June quarter 2009, the final (Stage 3) index recorded a decrease of 0.8%, the intermediate (Stage 2) index recorded a decrease of 1.9%, whilst the preliminary (Stage 1) index recorded a decrease of 2.7%. Through the year to June quarter 2009, the final (Stage 3) index increased by 2.1%, the intermediate (Stage 2) index decreased by 0.8% and the preliminary (Stage 1) index decreased by 1.9%.

The decrease of 0.8% in the final (Stage 3) index reflected no change in the price of domestically produced items, and a fall of 5.9% in the price of imported items. The domestic component price falls in building construction (-0.5%), other agriculture (-9.5%) and real estate agents (-2.8%) were offset by price rises in motor vehicle and part manufacturing (+5.0%) and petroleum refining (+4.5%). The imports component decreased due to price falls for industrial machinery and equipment manufacturing (-8.3%), electronic equipment manufacturing (-11.2%), clothing manufacturing (-10.7%), other manufacturing (-6.9%) and other transport equipment manufacturing (-7.3%). These decreases were partially offset by price rises in petroleum refining (+8.2%) and rubber product manufacturing (+7.6%).

The decrease of 1.9% in the intermediate (Stage 2) index reflected a fall of 1.1% in the price of domestically produced items and a fall of 7.9% in the price of imported items. The domestic component recorded price falls for coal mining (-17.5%), iron and steel manufacturing (-7.5%) and oil and gas extraction (-13.6%). These decreases were partially offset by price rises in electricity, gas and water supply (+2.9%), grain, sheep, beef and dairy cattle farming (+2.0%) and basic non-ferrous metal manufacturing (+8.1%). The imports component decreased due to price falls in iron and steel manufacturing (-32.0%), basic chemical manufacturing (-14.1%), mining n.e.c. (-59.8%) and motor vehicle and part manufacturing (-8.6%). These decreases were partially offset by price rises in oil and gas extraction (+7.0%) and basic non-ferrous metal manufacturing (+7.6%).

The decrease of 2.7% in the preliminary (Stage 1) index reflected a fall of 2.0% in the price of domestically produced items and a fall of 7.5% in the price of imported items. The domestic component recorded price falls for coal mining (-17.5%), oil and gas extraction (-13.6%) and iron and steel manufacturing (-7.5%). These decreases were partially offset by price rises for electricity, gas and water supply (+2.7%) and basic non-ferrous metal manufacturing (+8.1%). The imports component decreased due to price falls in basic chemical manufacturing (-14.1%), iron and steel manufacturing (-30.8%), mining n.e.c. (-59.8%) and industrial machinery and equipment manufacturing (-6.8%). These decreases were partially offset by price rises in oil and gas extraction (+7.0%) and petroleum refining (+1.8%).

MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES PRODUCER PRICE INDEXES

During the June quarter 2009, the prices paid by manufacturers for material inputs decreased by 4.3%, while the prices received for outputs primary to the manufacturing industry decreased by 1.5%.

Through the year to June quarter 2009, prices of material inputs decreased by 9.2%, while prices for outputs decreased by 6.4%.

Price decreases for products from iron and steel manufacturing (-36.7%) and oil and gas extraction (-4.5%) drove the decrease in the cost of materials used in the manufacturing industries. Major contributors to these price decreases were flat rolled products of iron and steel, domestic crude oil and iron ore mining. Price increases for products from dairy cattle farming (+6.7%) and electricity supply (+4.0%) provided offsets to the price decreases.

The decrease in prices received for produced articles primary to the manufacturing industries was mainly due to falls in the prices of outputs primary to basic chemical manufacturing (-21.3%), petroleum refining (-4.3%), basic non-ferrous metal manufacturing (-9.6%), meat and meat product manufacturing (-2.7%) and iron and steel manufacturing (-7.9%). Major contributors to these price decreases were inorganic industrial chemicals, natural gas, alumina, beef and basic iron and steel products . These decreases were partly offset by increases in the prices received for outputs primary to non-ferrous basic metal product manufacturing (+20.8%) and motor vehicle and part manufacturing (+2.9%).

CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRIES PRODUCER PRICE INDEXES

The price index for materials used in house building increased by 0.4% in the June quarter 2009. This follows consecutive price increases of 1.3% in March quarter 2009, 1.3% in December quarter 2008 and 2.6% in September quarter 2008. The most significant price rises were for other materials (+1.7%), ceramic products (+1.6%) and other metal products (+1.1%). These increases were partially offset by a price fall in steel products (-7.2%).

Melbourne (+1.0%) contributed the most to the overall weighted average of 6 capital cities quarterly movement, followed by Sydney (+1.0%) and Adelaide (+1.2%). These increases were partially offset by a decrease in Brisbane (-1.4%).

Through the year to June 2009 the materials used in house building price index rose by 5.8%. This rise was mainly attributed to increases in prices paid for other metal products (+7.7%), steel products (+28.3%), other materials (+5.5%), timber, board and joinery (+2.5%) and ceramic products (+4.8%).

The price index for outputs primary to the general construction industry decreased by 0.3% in the June quarter 2009. The quarterly decrease was mainly influenced by price falls in Victoria (-1.0%) and Queensland (-0.6%). These decreases were partially offset by price increases in New South Wales (+0.3%) and Tasmania (+0.4%).

The price of outputs primary to non-residential building construction contributed the largest decrease of 2.0% in the June quarter 2009. This decrease was partially offset by a price increase for outputs primary to house construction (+1.4%).

Through the year to June 2009 the price of outputs primary to general construction decreased by 0.3%. The price of outputs primary to residential construction decreased by 3.1% and outputs primary to non-residential construction decreased by 3.5%. These decreases were partially offset by price increases in outputs primary to house construction (+2.5%) and outputs primary to roads and bridges (+3.2%).

SERVICE INDUSTRIES PRODUCER PRICE INDEXES

The price index of services primary to the property and business services industries decreased by 1.2% in the June quarter 2009 and increased by 0.6% through the year to June quarter 2009.

The price index of services primary to the property services industry decreased by 2.0% in the June quarter 2009 and decreased by 2.6% through the year to June quarter 2009. The main contributors to this quarter's decrease were services primary to commercial property operators and developers (-2.2%) and services primary to real estate agents (-2.7%). The price index of services primary to business services industry decreased by 0.7% in the June quarter 2009 and increased by 2.8% through the year to June quarter 2009. The main contributor to this quarter's decrease was services primary to the business management services industry (-2.8%).

The price index of services primary to transport (freight) and storage industries decreased by 0.5% in the June quarter 2009 and increased by 3.0% through the year to June quarter 2009. The main contributors to the decrease were for services primary to road freight transport (-1.3%) and rail transport (-1.1%).