Original article by Thomas HenryMatthew Cranston
The Australian – Page: 1 & 4 : 29-Jan-26

Treasurer Jim Chalmers says the rise in the inflation rate in the December quarter was "difficult and unwelcome, but not surprising". He has also denied that increased government spending has contributed to the rise in inflation. Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows that the annnual headline inflation rate rose from 3.2 per cent to 3.7 per cent, with the Reserve Bank’s preferred measure of underlying inflation rising to 3.4 per cent. The data shows that housing costs rose by 5.5 per cent annually, while food inflation increased by 3.4 per cent. Financial markets and many economists now expect the Reserve Bank to increase the cash rate in February.

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER AND CABINETAUSTRALIAN BUREAU OF STATISTICSRESERVE BANK OF AUSTRALIA