Economic News

In a year of four rate rises, upbeat language from the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) stands out. So when Assistant Governor (Economic) Sarah Hunter described the typical mortgage household in positive terms at the Regions Rising summit in Canberra on 14 September 2026, …

Australia's housing market has turned. After the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) lifted the cash rate three times earlier in 2026 and again on 29 September, taking the target to 4.60 per cent from 30 September, the Monetary Policy Board's statement noted that housing …

Credit is often discussed as a single number, but the latest data from the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) tell two different stories. Released on 30 September 2026, the day the cash rate target of 4.60 per cent took effect, the Financial Aggregates for …

Public debate about interest rates in Australia tends to start and finish with mortgages. When the cash rate rises, commentary turns to repayments, household budgets and the housing market. Governor Michele Bullock did not dismiss that link at her media conference on 29 September …

Most commentary on the Reserve Bank of Australia's (RBA) four cash rate increases in 2026 has centred on mortgage holders. That is understandable. As Governor Michele Bullock put it at her 29 September media conference: "Those who have mortgages, yes, this clearly impacts them …

When the Monetary Policy Board announces a rate decision at 2.30 pm, the change is immediate on paper. The effect on household budgets, spending and ultimately inflation is not. Governor Michele Bullock made this point in her Opening Statement to the House of Representatives …

Central bankers choose their words carefully, so when a Governor uses the phrase "quite a dramatic slowdown", it is worth understanding precisely what was said and in what context. Michele Bullock used it at her media conference on 29 September 2026, hours after the …