RBA
Focus on overseas data as Australian economy cools off
24 January
Australians will look to the US and China for economic sneezes as the nation tries to avoid catching a fiscal cold. After promising jobs and inflation figures pointed to cooling inflation, the domestic economy is set for a comparatively quiet week...[Read More]
Jobs data on agenda as signs point to cooling inflation
18 January
All eyes will be on jobs data this week as Australians hope for more positive signs before the Reserve Bank’s first rate decision of the year. A slowdown in jobs growth is expected to show up in the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ December...[Read More]
Slower-than-expected inflation lifts rate pause hopes
10 January
The prospect of another interest rate hike next month has become more remote after inflation fell faster than expected. The Australian Bureau of Statistics consumer price index for November came in at an annual rate of 4.3 per cent, down from 4.9...[Read More]
Cost of living relief on table but cash handouts vetoed
3 January
Financially strained Australian households could be in line for more cost of living relief as the federal government considers its options for extra help. That assistance is unlikely to come in the form of cash handouts as Prime Minister Anthony...[Read More]
RBA boss hopeful for better year following hard 2023
13 December
The elevated cost of living, higher interest rates and a rising tax take have fed into one of the most difficult years for consumers on record. The painful squeeze on households as captured by consumer confidence surveys has been recognised by...[Read More]
Reserve Bank wants to keep ‘broad coverage’ of ATMs
13 December
Most Australians are ditching cash in favour digital payments and the Reserve Bank says that’s putting pressure on the economics of ATMs and physically moving notes and coins around. Although the federal government and the central bank are...[Read More]
RBA gift wraps end-of-year rate relief for borrowers
6 December
Australian mortgage holders have been gifted an early Christmas present as the Reserve Bank chooses to leave interest rates untouched. The board has decided to leave the cash rate at 4.35 per cent at the December meeting in a move most forecasters...[Read More]
UK central banker nabbed to take over as RBA deputy
30 November
A top central banker from the United Kingdom will take on the deputy governor job at the Reserve Bank of Australia, bringing experience and a fresh perspective to the task. Andrew Hauser has spent more than 30 years at the Bank of England, the...[Read More]
Easing inflation takes heat off interest rate rises
29 November
Australia’s inflation rate has softened by more than expected in a promising sign for borrowers hoping for the end of the Reserve Bank’s interest rate hikes. The monthly consumer price index rose 4.9 per cent over the 12 months to October, down...[Read More]
RBA cash rate meetings to stretch over two days
22 November
Reserve Bank board members will meet over two days and have more time to mull over key economic material as part of a shake-up to the way interest rate meetings are run. Training and support for leaders to become more open and inclusive – aimed at...[Read More]
Reserve Bank spells out case for November hike
22 November
The minutes from the Reserve Bank’s November meeting have been released. KEY POINTS FROM NOVEMBER MINUTES * The Reserve Bank board considered both a 25 basis point increase and another month on hold at the November meeting. The case to lift the...[Read More]
Consumers, businesses still wary about the future
15 November
Another interest rate hike has flattened consumer mood, with the business community also cautious about what’s to come. The Westpac and Melbourne Institute monthly consumer sentiment survey has picked up a sharp fall in responses following the...[Read More]
Inflation ‘proving more persistent than expected’: RBA
8 November
The Reserve Bank of Australia has lifted interest rates for the 13th time in the present tightening cycle, bringing the official cash rate to 4.35 per cent. KEY POINTS FROM THE RBA’S NOVEMBER CASH RATE STATEMENT * Inflation has passed its peak but...[Read More]
RBA warns of looming financial stability risks
1 November
Geopolitical challenges, climate change and cyber-attacks are emerging risks that threaten Australia’s future financial stability. Reserve Bank assistant governor Brad Jones says the threats to global and domestic financial stability in the next...[Read More]
Heated inflation figures put rate hike firmly in play
25 October
The latest inflation data has come in hotter than expected and may stir the Reserve Bank into a Melbourne Cup Day rate hike. Consumer prices as tracked by the Australian Bureau of Statistics rose 1.2 per cent over the three months to September, up...[Read More]