Australia's consumer price inflation rises 0.2% in the first quarter

The Australian Bureau of Statistics released its consumer inflation data on Wednesday. The consumer price inflation in Australia increased 0.2% in the first quarter, exceeding expectations for a 0.1% gain, after a 0.2% rise in fourth quarter.

On a yearly basis, Australia's consumer price inflation declined to 1.3% in the first quarter from 1.7% in the fourth quarter, in line with expectations.

The decline was driven by a drop in fuel prices. Fuel prices dropped more than 12%.

Fruit prices slid 8%.

Domestic travel and accommodation prices rose 3.5% in the first quarter, while tertiary education prices climbed 5.7%.

The trimmed mean consumer price index (CPI) (the Reserve Bank of Australia's (RBA) main indicator of inflation) gained to 0.6% in the fourth quarter, in line with expectations, after 0.6% rise in the fourth quarter. The fourth quarter's figure was revised down from a 0.7% increase.

The trimmed mean consumer price index (CPI) rose to 2.3% year-on-year in the fourth quarter from 2.2% in the fourth quarter.

However, the RBA could cut its interest rate at the May meeting despite this slightly increase in inflation. But the small rise could mean that the central bank may wait.