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Australia's Household Spending Rises in June

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Australia's seasonally adjusted household spending rose 0.8% to AU$81.28 billion in June, following a 1.2% increase in the previous month, the Australian Bureau of Statistics reported on Tuesday.

"The 0.8% rise in June was driven by discretionary spending rising for the second month in a row at 1.2%, thanks to continued strength in transport and recreation and culture," said Tom Lay, the bureau's head of business statistics.

Six of the nine spending categories rose in June, led by transport, recreation and culture, and alcoholic beverages and tobacco.

Household spending on goods increased 1% month-on-month, led by higher expenditure on vehicle purchases, recreational and cultural goods, and cigarettes and tobacco.

Spending on services rose 0.6% month-on-month, driven by increased spending on air and sea transport, recreational and cultural services, and motor vehicle repair, maintenance, and related expenses.

Household spending rose in all eight states and territories in June, with the strongest increases recorded in Tasmania, the Australian Capital Territory, and Western Australia.

The seasonally adjusted household spending volumes indicator increased by 0.7% in the June quarter, reaching AU$227.75 billion compared with the previous quarter.

Household spending on discretionary goods and services rose 1.2% month-on-month, compared with a 0.1% increase in non-discretionary spending.

Compared with the year-earlier period, household spending rose 6% in June.

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