Northern Territory Shadow Treasurer John Elferink

TREASURER MISSES THE POINT

Victor P Taffa

Treasurer Delia Lawrie has missed the point about the pressures faced by Territory households on a daily basis.

“While today’s inflation figures are good news on the surface, the problems faced by Territorians go way beyond the latest CPI statistics.” Shadow Treasurer John Elferink said.

“The fact is many people are doing it tough because of the high cost of housing, increases in the price of power and water, the price of fuel and the cost of a basket of groceries.”

“These are very real concerns for Territory workers and families and it’s disappointing the Treasurer and Labor are hiding behind the latest inflation data.” Mr. Elferink said.

“Figures released by Australian Property Monitors today show the median house price in Darwin is almost $580,000, the second highest of any capital in the country and way out of reach of many would-be home-owners.”

“Last week, APM showed median rents for a house in Darwin are $550 a week – the highest of any Australian capital.” Mr. Elferink said.

“Despite the pressures already faced by Territorians, the Henderson Government has no problems squeezing a bit more out of taxpayers.”

“It introduced one of the most expensive container deposit schemes going around which jacked up prices and is right behind Federal Labor’s carbon tax, which is estimated will leave up to 30% of Australians worse off.” Mr. Elferink said.

Australian Bureau of Statistics

ABS CPI June Quarter 2010 Up 0.6%

Victor P Taffa

The ABS Consumer Price Index rose 0.6% in the June quarter 2010, compared with a rise of 0.9% in the March quarter 2010.

The most significant price rises this quarter were for tobacco (+15.4%), hospital and medical services (+3.8%), automotive fuel (+2.1%), rents (+1.1%) and house purchase (+0.6%). The most significant offsetting price falls were for domestic holiday travel and accommodation (–6.0%), fruit (–4.8%), audio, visual and computing equipment (–6.3%), vegetables (–3.0%), and overseas holiday travel and accommodation (–1.9%).

The ABS Consumer Price Index rose 3.1% through the year to June quarter 2010, compared with a rise of 2.9% through the year to March quarter 2010.

JUNE KEY POINTS

THE ALL GROUPS CPI

• Rose 0.6% in the June quarter 2010, compared with a rise of 0.9% in the March quarter 2010.
• Rose 3.1% through the year to June quarter 2010, compared with a rise of 2.9% through the year to March quarter 2010.OVERVIEW OF CPI MOVEMENTS

• The most significant price rises this quarter were for tobacco (+15.4%), hospital and medical services (+3.8%), automotive fuel (+2.1%), rents (+1.1%) and house purchase (+0.6%).
• The most significant offsetting price falls were in domestic holiday travel and accommodation (-6.0%), fruit (-4.8%), audio, visual and computing equipment (-6.3%), vegetables (-3.0%) and overseas holiday travel and accommodation (-1.9%).

• JUNE KEY FIGURES