AUSTRALIA’S seasonally adjusted credits for the export of goods and services increased by $84 million to $11.8 billion between February and March, but the increase was more than offset by growth in debits for the import of goods and services which rose $342 million to $13.8 billion. As a result, the balance on goods and services fell by $258 million to a deficit of $1,986 million.
In the 12 months to March 2004, goods and services exports decreased by $548 million (4.4 per cent), while imports fell by $17 million (0.1 per cent), resulting in a 36 per cent increase in the trade balance on goods and services.
Source: ABS Cat. 5368.0