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


FINAL COMMODITIES

increased by 1.9% in the March quarter 2008, the largest quarterly increase since the series began in the September quarter 1998.

mainly due to price increases in building construction (+1.9%), petroleum refining (+10.5%) and electricity, gas and water (+3.1%).

partially offset by price decreases in electronic equipment manufacturing (-2.9%).

increased by 4.8% through the year to March quarter 2008.

INTERMEDIATE COMMODITIES

increased by 2.0% in the March quarter 2008, the largest quarterly increase since the June quarter 2006.

mainly due to price increases in petroleum refining (+12.3%), oil and gas extraction (+7.9%) and property operators and developers (+3.1%).

partially offset by price decreases in metal ore mining (-1.0%).

increased by 6.0% through the year to March quarter 2008.

PRELIMINARY COMMODITIES

increased by 2.3% in the March quarter 2008, the largest quarterly increase since the June quarter 2006.

mainly due to price increases in oil and gas extraction (+7.9%),

petroleum refining (+12.2%), property operators and developers (+3.1%) and basic chemical manufacturing (+6.1%).

partially offset by price decreases in metal ore mining (-1.1%).

increased by 6.9% through the year to March quarter 2008.


Available at:

http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/6427.0