CPI up

Australia’s inflation rate for the June quarter was 1.6%. This figure took the Consumer Price Index for the year from the June quarter 2005 to 4%, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

The most significant contributors to the increase for the quarter were fruit (particularly bananas) – up 52% - and automotive fuel, an increase of 11.2%.

Health costs increased 2.4% due to dental services (an increase of 1.4%) and hospital and medical services (up 4%).

Melbourne’s CPI for the quarter was up 1.4%, giving an annual increase of 3.9%.