Trade deficit continues to increase
Australia’s trade gap fell deeper into the red in December, despite a small increase in exports.
Australian Bureau of Statistics data puts the trade deficit at a seasonally adjusted $2.25bn in December, from a revised $1.73bn in November.
The increase in the value of imports to $21.4bn, from $21.3bn in November, was largely due to gains in merchandise goods, fuels and lubricants and other capital goods.
Non-rural goods, coal, coke and briquettes were the main contributors to the rise in total exports to $19.8bn in December from $19.1bn.
MS Outlook
Security debate is on two fronts
