Miners .AXMM jumped 0.3%, with iron ore behemoths BHP Group BHP.AX and Rio Tinto RIO.AX gaining 0.1% each. U.S consumer prices fell unexpectedly for the first time in more than 2-1/2 years last month, data showed last week, signalling a downward trend in inflation. Investors are now eyeing the December unemployment report in Australia, due on Thursday, which will likely give direction to the country's central bank for its rate-hike path.