December 17, 2009
Embargo: 11.30am (AEDT)
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Smaller states lead growth rate: ABS
Tasmania, South Australia and the ACT each showed Gross State Product growth of 1.4% last
financial year, exceeding the national Gross Domestic Product growth rate of 1.1%, according to
figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
All Australian states and territories have shown positive economic growth in 2008-09, with growth
in remaining states varying between 0.2% in New South Wales and 0.8% in Victoria.
All states were positive contributors to Australia's Domestic Final Demand growth in 2008–09. The
strongest growth was in Northern Territory (up 7.9%), Western Australia (up 3.3%) and South
Australia (up 2.5%). Growth in these three states was driven by strong private business
investment. All other states experienced growth in State Final Demand at or below that of national
Domestic Final Demand growth of 2.1%.
Growth in industry Gross Value Added terms was generally lead by the larger state industries. For
example, Western Australia, Queensland and the Northern Territory all experienced growth in
mining, and the Australian Capital Territory showed strength in public administration and safety.
Whereas states such as New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania had growth
tempered by declines in the finance and insurance services, manufacturing, and construction
industries, reflective of the national movement in 2008-09.
More details are available in the 17 December 2009 release of Australian National Accounts: State
Accounts (cat. no. 5220.0), available free from the ABS website www.abs.gov.au
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