This by nature decreases volatility in the headline GDP estimate. Using the average measure of Australian GDP, Australia avoided a technical recession, apparently the only OECD country to do so. However, based on the production measure of GDP, the headline measure in New Zealand, Australia experienced a technical recession in the March 2009 quarter.
This reflected strong consumer spending backed by rising employment and income, together with increased business investment and a jump in energy exports. We are now starting to see signs of moderation in the second half, which we forecast in July.