ABS Media Release: Consumer Price Index - June quarter up 0.9%

The ABS Consumer Price Index rose 0.9% in the June quarter 2011, compared with a rise of 1.6% in the March quarter 2011.

The most significant price rises this quarter were for fruit (+26.9%), automotive fuel (+4.0%), hospital and medical services (+3.4%), furniture (+6.0%) and deposit and loan facilities (+2.1%). The most significant offsetting price falls were for vegetables (–10.3%), audio, visual and computing equipment (–6.3%), electricity (–1.5%), domestic holiday travel and accommodation (–1.5%) and milk (–4.6%).

Fruit prices increased by 26.9% in the June quarter 2011 mainly due to an increase of approximately 138% in the price of bananas due to shortages created by Cyclone Yasi. Banana prices increased 470% over the six months to the June quarter 2011.

The ABS Consumer Price Index rose 3.6% through the year to the June quarter 2011, compared with a rise of 3.3% through the year to March quarter 2011.

Further information is available in Consumer Price Index, Australia (cat. no. 6401.0) or visit www.abs.gov.au...

The 16th series CPI will be introduced from the September quarter 2011. This will include a new commodity classification and expenditure weights from the 2009–10 Household Expenditure survey. For more details about the upcoming changes to the CPI, please refer to Changes to the CPI from September Quarter 2011.

Enterprising young men lend a hand after Yasi

Here’s a very welcome good news story from Queensland. Seven young Indigenous Employment Program participants from Cairns recently volunteered their time to help elderly locals clean up after Cyclone Yasi, which swept through late last month.

The young men, who are gaining landscaping and construction skills through Djarragun Enterprises, contacted the local RSL offering to clear vegetation and debris from the yards of elderly people in the community.

They subsequently helped residents in Gordonvale and Mission Beach, clearing their properties and bringing their yards back to a condition that would be easier for them to maintain in the future.

In Gordonvale, they helped clear a mini banana plantation from the backyard of a 92-year-old war veteran. The Djarragun Enterprises crew took two days of hard work to clear damaged plants and prepare the area for re-growth. In the process, the team bonded with the home owner and offered to help her on an ongoing basis.

The young men also travelled down to Mission Beach and spent the day offering what assistance they could, free of charge. The day started early for the crew, who left at 6am for the trip and arrived home after 7pm.

“As the emphasis of the program is to equip our participants to operate in mainstream society, it was a valuable opportunity for them to experience the benefits of giving freely of their time and energy to assist others less fortunate,” said Programs Manager Steve Burrowes.

Djarragun Enterprises is an Indigenous Employment Program social enterprise that operates out of Cairns. Funded by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR), this 15-month program provides an industry-based employment pathway for Indigenous graduates from Djarragun College.

Three Mission Australia live-in support staff work closely with participants at their accommodation, helping them to develop social skills and ensure they are self-sufficient and assisted to make the transition into permanent employment.

Mission Australia also provides post-placement and employment support to young people who complete training with Djarragun Enterprises.

In the wake of Cyclone Yasi

Although Cyclone Yasi is weakening, it continues to affect the Queensland coast and ranges with heavy rains. No doubt, the impact of Yasi will be felt for many months to come, especially given this natural disaster comes on the back of Queensland's devastating floods.

As the true extent of the damage becomes apparent, Mission Australia expects an increased demand for our services in Queensland, with people particularly needing our support to help meet their accommodation needs.

In the coming days, Mission Australia will contact our current clients in North Queensland to ensure their wellbeing and ascertain their needs.

We are also currently working with the Red Cross in the provision of targeted assistance.

If you're worried about friends or family in the cyclone area, please call the Red Cross on 1800 727 077 rather than contacting local police, or visit redcross.org.au

After Yasi - useful resources

The Queensland Government's Cyclone Yasi page offers post-cyclone advice, such as urging residents in affected areas to listen for radio or advice from council, police or emergency services, and to be sure the storm has passed before leaving shelter.  

The Queensland Government site also lists school, hospital and road closures as well as emergency contact details.

Distress is an understandable and normal response to disasters. The Queensland Health website features practical advice about how to cope in times of disaster.

This website also includes downloadable facts sheets on stress after emergencies, common reactions to trauma, coping personally, general information for health staff and volunteers, and children and teenagers and crisis. 

For general news updates and emergency information visit abc.net.au/emergency/cyclone/yasi or go to Google's Crisis Response Page at google.com/crisisresponse/queensland_floods

Preparing for Cyclone Yasi

Mission Australia’s thoughts are with the individuals, families and communities that are in the path of Cyclone Yasi – including our staff members and clients from our eight local services.

Authorities have urged North Queensland residents to stay calm and listen to safety advice as the storm moves in. It is also important that people stay off the roads, turn off their electricity and gas, unplug appliances and fill bathtubs with water.

Queensland Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts said mattresses and pillows should be kept close by. He said the smallest room (usually a laundry or bathroom) is often the safest.

This afternoon AMA Queensland President Dr Gino Pecoraro highlighted the importance of explaining to children what the storm is expected to do over the next 24 hours.

He said children should be warned to expect the loud noise of cyclonic winds. Their favourite music - listened to via headphones - as well as board games, puzzles and crosswords could help provide a comforting and familiar distraction.

Families should also have a first-aid kit at hand, containing all medications currently being taken, including any unfilled prescriptions. Preparations should include a battery-operated radio to listen to emergency broadcasts and a torch.

TV and radio transmission interruptions may occur. Reliable broadcasts are available on short wave radio at 9710kHz during the day and 6080kHz by night.

Those not heading to community shelters should have food on hand that does not need refrigeration. People in need of emotional support can call Lifeline 24 hours on 13 11 14, Mensline Australia on 1300 78 99 78 or the Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800.

For more information visit this link at SMH online

Useful resources

• The ABC is providing excellent coverage and information about emergency procedures. For more information visit abc.net.au/emergency/cyclone/yasi
• According to ABC reports this afternoon, evacuation centres in the Cairns region are at capacity. For a list of North Queensland evacuation centres please click here
• People who have left their homes and have nowhere to go should call 1300 99 31 91 for help in finding emergency accommodation.
• The Bureau of Meteorology site, contains a Tropical Cyclone Forecast Map, which indicates the proximity and strength of Yasi.
• The Google Crisis Response Page is another good resource, featuring maps, contacts and links to news reports.

Emergency contacts
Call the State Emergency Services on 132 500 or for life-threatening emergencies call 000.