The rate of inflation is down from its peak but did pick up on a quarterly basis in the three months to September, according to the latest consumer price index from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

KEY FIGURES FOR SEPTEMBER QUARTER CPI

Headline inflation lifted 1.2 per cent in the September quarter, up from a 0.8 per cent rise in the June quarter. On an annual basis, headline inflation lifted 5.4 per cent, down from six per cent in June. Trimmed mean inflation sunk to 5.2 per cent annually, down from 5.9 per cent through to June. It was up 1.2 per cent on a quarterly basis.

KEY MOVEMENTS IN PRICES OVER THE QUARTER

New dwelling purchase by owner-occupiers rose 1.3 per cent. Property rates rose 4.4 per cent. Rents rose 2.2 per cent. Child care fell 13.2 per cent. Medical and hospital services rose one per cent. Dental services rose 2.5 per cent. Automotive fuel rose 7.2 per cent. Electricity rose 4.2 per cent. Other recreational, sporting and cultural services rose 3.4 per cent. Preschool and primary education fell 2.6 per cent. Tertiary education rose 0.5 per cent. Insurance lifted 2.8 per cent. Food prices rose 0.6 per cent

Poppy Johnston
(Australian Associated Press)