Falling inflation levels have defied Reserve Bank predictions, alleviating fears another interest-rate hike is imminent. The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics data showed headline annual inflation falling to 3.8 per cent in June, down from four per cent a month earlier. Trimmed mean inflation, the preferred measure for the RBA, remained steady at 3.6 per cent, falling below the central bank's prediction of 3.8 per cent for the period. "The federal government's fuel excise relief measures, which contributed to lower automatic fuel prices in April and May, also remained in place." "People shouldn't expect that fuel excise support will continue beyond the weekend," he said.