Reserve Bank of Australia’s Deputy Governor Michele Bullock

  • Board expects to increase interest rates further over the coming months; pace and timing will be determined by data
  • Factors the board will monitor closely include the global economy, household spending and wage- and price-setting behaviour
  • Board is determined to do what is necessary to return inflation to target
  • Our policy rate trajectory has been as steep, or steeper, than other central banks
  • A very tight labour market starting to put upward pressure on wages
  • Rate rises, price rises starting to put pressure on household budgets
  • Board felt a 25 basis point rate rise was warranted in October while it took stock of developments in consumption, wages and the international economy
  • Was an active discussion internally and at the board meeting about the appropriate size of the October rate increase
  • As the board meets more frequently than most peers, it can achieve similar tightening with smaller individual rate rises

Upcoming RBA meetings:

  • November 1
  • December 6
  • February 7