The Australian Bureau of Statistics Regularly Publishes the Average Retail

question 15

Essay

The Australian Bureau of Statistics regularly publishes the average retail prices of selected items for each Australian capital city. The following table presents the prices of oranges, bananas, potatoes, tomatoes, carrots and onions in Melbourne during the June quarter in 2012 and 2014. $$\begin{array}{l}\text { Fruit and vegetable prices } ( \$ / \mathrm { kg } )\\\begin{array} { | l | c | c | } \hline \text { Item } & \text { June 2012 } & \text { June 2014 } \\\hline \text { Oranges } & 2.98 & 2.95 \\\hline \text { Bananas } & 2.32 & 2.37 \\\hline \text { Potatoes } & 2.69 & 2.44 \\\hline \text { Tomatoes } & 3.72 & 4.59 \\\hline \text { Carrots } & 2.20 & 1.95 \\\hline \text { Onions } & 2.57 & 2.35 \\\hline\end{array}\end{array}$$ Construct a simple aggregate index of the prices for the fruit and vegetable group using June 2012 as the base period.

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Definitions:

Expanded Coverage

Typically references broader insurance or service offerings, extending additional benefits or services to more individuals or areas.

Raised Benefits

Increased provisions or advantages provided to employees or members of society, such as higher insurance coverages, better retirement plans, or more comprehensive welfare programs.

Suburbanization

describes the process in which residential areas develop outside of city centers, often characterized by lower density, single-family homes, and reliance on automobile transport.

Inner-City Neighborhoods

Typically refers to the more central, often older and more densely populated areas of a city, which may face economic, social, and infrastructural challenges.