The following is an unedited transcript of the news release from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.


BALANCE ON GOODS AND SERVICES

The trend estimate of the balance on goods and services was a surplus of $448m in May 2009, a decrease of $251m (36%) on a revised surplus in April 2009.
In seasonally adjusted terms, the balance on goods and services was a deficit of $556m in May 2009, an increase of $274m (97%) on a revised deficit in April 2009.

CREDITS (EXPORTS OF GOODS & SERVICES)

Seasonally adjusted, goods and services credits fell $1,112m (5%) to $20,392m. Non-rural goods fell $684m (5%), other goods fell $368m (24%) and rural goods fell $86m (3%). Services credits rose $27m (1%).

The fall in non-rural goods largely reflects the falls in the coal, coke and briquettes component, down $540m (15%), the other mineral fuels component, down $88m (7%) and the metal ores and minerals component, down $78m (2%). The largest fall in other goods was in the non-monetary gold component, down $351m (27%).


DEBITS (IMPORTS OF GOODS & SERVICES)

Seasonally adjusted, goods and services debits fell $838m (4%) to $20,948m. Capital goods fell $577m (14%), intermediate and other merchandise goods fell $464m (7%) and consumption goods fell $54m (1%). Other goods rose $294m (35%). Services debits fell $37m (1%).


Available at:

http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs%40.nsf/mf/5368.0