This Month
RBA boss did not feel ‘political pressure’ from Chalmers
Michele Bullock refuses to say if Treasurer Jim Chalmers phoned her last year to complain about the RBA linking government spending to inflation pressures in the economy.
More rate cuts? That would have to be an April Fool’s joke
The inflation fighter deep inside Michele Bullock has resurfaced, and the RBA has reminded everyone that restoring price stability is the main game.
The ‘credit cycle that never was’ will limit RBA rate cuts
After the pain of 13 hikes, there is still a real question as to how much more support the central bank can really provide in this easing phase.
RBA has interest rate trigger for Trump trade war
The Reserve Bank of Australia isn’t quite sure what impact Donald Trump’s imminent next round of tariffs will have on inflation, but it is ready to act.
Bullock on alert for Liberation Day downturn
The RBA board has signalled it will not hesitate to cut interest rates if Australia gets pummelled by a global trade war, after holding the cash rate at 4.1 per cent.
March
Inflation slows as housing market cools
Underlying inflation has fallen to its equal lowest level since December 2021 as builders offer promotional incentives and the rental market eases.
Repair fiscal policy to stop politicians fighting RBA’s monetary policy
Political ill-discipline has produced the biggest spending increase for a first-time government since the Whitlam era 50 years ago.
Business profits rise as economy gains momentum
The jump in profits has fuelled economists’ expectations that GDP figures on Wednesday will show economic growth is finally picking up.
Chalmers insists he is ‘very respectful’ of Bullock
The treasurer says “everybody knows how respectful I am” of the RBA governor, denying a report in AFR Magazine that he pressured her over the bank’s messaging on government spending.
February
Chalmers has ‘damaged’ RBA independence
Jim Chalmers’ pressure on Reserve Bank governors Michele Bullock and Philip Lowe is “highly reprehensible” and has damaged the independence of the RBA, Roger Corbett and Angus Taylor say.
Time for a Bex and good lie down after RBA rate call
Amid the hyperbole and hysteria, I’m tempted to take governor Michele Bullock’s explanation of the finely balanced decision at face value.
Cash may be gone in 10 years: RBA’s Bullock
Governor Michele Bullock says cash may only be around for 10 years. But unlike Donald Trump, she sees no role for bitcoin in central banking or payments.
Bullock concedes RBA too slow to raise rates against inflation
The Reserve Bank governor said one of the reasons the board cut the cash rate this week was because it did not want to be too late to act again.
Victoria not performing well: Bullock
Michele Bullock says the Victorian economy is not performing as well as others; Peter Dutton backs $2.4 billion Whyalla rescue package but not “Whitlamesque” equity proposal. How the day unfolded.
Bullock admits RBA too slow; Domain rockets; Mansion smashes record
Read everything that’s happened in the news so far today.
RBA’s Hauser hails ‘strong’ jobs market after employment surges 44k
RBA deputy governor Andrew Hauser says there is no bad news in fresh figures showing employment is surging, cementing forecasts interest rates will not go down again soon.
Did the Reserve Bank cut interest rates too soon?
This week on The Fin podcast, Michael Stutchbury and Michael Read on whether RBA governor Michele Bullock is “one and done” and how this affects the timing of the election.
Inside the rate call that left RBA watchers puzzled
Governor Michele Bullock says the board weighed up both sides. But did the RBA deliver the first rate cut in more than four years because it should have, or because it had to?
Why the RBA rate cut was a head-scratcher
There was a gap in logic between the decision and the explanation. That is why the new communications arrangements can’t come soon enough.
Inflation will tell if RBA’s pre-election cut is the right call
We don’t doubt Bullock and the board have conducted themselves independently. Yet, the RBA’s credibility will finally depend on whether inflation continues to fall.