Consumer price index rose last month at an annual rate of 4.9%, which is lower than economists had forecastFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcastAustralia’s inflation rate has eased sharply in October as weak consumer spending made it less likely the Reserve Bank will inflict another interest rate rise on the economy.The consumer price index rose at an annual clip of 4.9% last month compared with a 5.6% pace in September alone, the Australian Bureau of Statistics said on Wednesday. Economists had expected CPI to come in at 5.2%.Sign up for Guardian Australia’s free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup Continue reading...