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Bullock warns more hikes possible after RBA holds cash rate at 4.35% – as it happened
United Kingdom🏛️ PoliticsCenter18 days ago

Bullock warns more hikes possible after RBA holds cash rate at 4.35% – as it happened

On Tuesday, August 11, the Australian Reserve Bank (RBA) decided to keep the cash rate at 4.35%, maintaining expectations but expressing concerns about ongoing inflation pressures. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese faced backlash for joking about a gift of melons from Japan's prime minister, though he has not apologized. The Victorian government delayed legislation on work-from-home rights until after the upcoming election. Meanwhile, discussions continued between major parties on gambling reform, and the federal agriculture minister announced plans to vaccinate certain bird species against H5 bird flu. Other notable developments included criticism of the Coalition's approach to work-from-home policies and internal changes within KPMG ahead of parliamentary inquiries.

Australia's Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has decided to maintain its benchmark interest rate at 4.35%, a decision that comes amid ongoing efforts to manage inflation and stabilize the economy. The RBA board, in a unanimous vote, opted to hold rates steady, citing signs of economic slowing and the continued need to monitor inflationary pressures. Governor Michele Bullock emphasized that while the central bank is not ruling out future rate hikes, the current environment suggests that additional increases may not be necessary in the near term. The RBA's decision reflects a nuanced approach to managing economic conditions. While the housing market has softened more than anticipated following several rate hikes earlier this year, the central bank is cautious about relying solely on this trend to guide its monetary policy. Instead, the RBA is closely monitoring a range of indicators, including employment data, consumer spending, and the broader economic landscape shaped by global events such as the Middle East conflict and the ongoing effects of the global oil shock. The RBA's updated forecasts indicate that inflation, though currently lower than expected, is projected to remain elevated for some time. According to the central bank, inflation is expected to return to the target range of 2.5% by early 2028, even if rates edge upwards slightly. This projection underscores the complexity of balancing inflation control with economic stability. The RBA has also revised its expectations regarding unemployment, anticipating a slight increase to 4.7% by the end of 2027, reflecting a more cautious stance on labor market dynamics. The housing market has played a significant role in shaping the RBA's decisions. Despite a notable decline in property values, particularly in major cities like Sydney, the central bank has indicated that the housing downturn is not the primary factor influencing its current monetary policy. Instead, the RBA is focusing on broader economic indicators, including robust job creation and the tightening of economic capacity driven by the AI boom. These factors suggest that the economy is beginning to adjust to higher interest rates, albeit with some uncertainty about the pace of this adjustment. Economists and analysts have offered varied perspectives on the implications of the RBA's decision. Some, like Jonathan McMenamin from Barrenjoey, suggest that while the RBA may attempt to downplay the housing market's influence, it will still consider the sector's performance in its deliberations. Others, such as Luci Ellis from Westpac, argue that the weakness in the housing market provides further validation that monetary policy is appropriately tight given the current rate levels. However, the consensus among many experts is that the RBA remains vigilant about inflationary risks and is prepared to act if necessary. The RBA's communication strategy has been carefully calibrated to maintain credibility and manage expectations. Governor Bullock has stressed the importance of ensuring that the public believes the central bank is willing to take decisive action if required. This emphasis on maintaining the perception of readiness to raise rates has influenced financial markets, with the implied probability of another rate hike increasing significantly following the RBA's announcement. Market participants are now more confident that the RBA will act decisively if inflationary pressures persist, reinforcing the central bank's position as a key player in the economic landscape. Looking ahead, the RBA's focus will remain on monitoring a wide array of economic indicators to ensure that inflation returns to target without causing undue harm to the economy. The central bank's updated forecasts suggest that while the path to achieving the inflation target may be prolonged, the overall trajectory is manageable. As the RBA continues to balance its dual mandate of price stability and maximum employment, it will rely on comprehensive data analysis and strategic communication to navigate the complexities of the current economic climate.

4 reports

iNews logoiNewsIndependentCenterFactual 90Objective 8520 days ago
What Burnham means for inflation, interest rates and living costs, according to experts

Andy Burnham, newly appointed Prime Minister, faces challenges in addressing inflation and living costs amid stagnant wage growth and high energy prices. Economic experts note that recent policies such as VAT cuts for electricity bills and reduced bus fares offer limited impact on inflation, which remains above the 2% target. These measures, costing around £1.5 billion, are seen as symbolic rather than substantial, with little effect on household finances or the economy. Burnham's long-term agenda includes public control of essential services, housing development, and regional devolution, though past efforts in similar areas have had mixed results. The government must balance immediate cost-of-living support with fiscal constraints and long-term goals.

Bias read (Center): The article presents a balanced assessment of Burnham's policies and their implications, citing expert opinions without overtly favoring any political stance. It acknowledges both the limitations and potential of his initiatives, avoiding strong ideological slant.

Why factuality (90): The article presents expert analysis from Thomas Pugh of RSM UK regarding Andy Burnham's economic policies. It accurately reflects the current state of the economy, including inflation levels and the Bank of England's stance. The article does not claim to have a primary source document but relies on

Why objectivity (85): The article remains largely neutral, presenting the expert's views without overt bias. However, there is subtle political framing by contrasting Burnham's approach with Sir Keir Starmer's fiscal restraint and referencing Liz Truss as a cautionary example. This slight editorializing slightly reduces

The Guardian (World) logoThe Guardian (World)IndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 8018 days ago
RBA interest rates: Reserve Bank holds cash rate at 4.35% but threatens more hikes if needed

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has decided to maintain the official cash rate at 4.35%, despite concerns over persistent inflation. While the RBA acknowledged that the economy is slowing as anticipated, it emphasized that further rate increases remain a possibility depending on future economic data. This decision followed three rate hikes earlier in the year, which contributed to declining property values in major Australian cities. RBA Governor Michele Bullock stated that while the housing market slowdown was notable, it was not the central factor influencing the decision. Instead, the RBA is closely monitoring labor market strength, economic capacity constraints, the impact of artificial intelligence, and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

Bias read (Center): The article presents a balanced view of the RBA's decision-making process, including quotes from both the RBA governor and external economists. It does not exhibit overtly biased language or selective sourcing, providing multiple perspectives on the potential for future rate hikes and the factors影响着

Why factuality (85): The article accurately reports the RBA holding the cash rate at 4.35%, quotes officials like Michele Bullock, and provides context about market reactions and economic forecasts. It aligns with the cross-source consensus on the RBA's decision and its implications.

Why objectivity (80): The article maintains a neutral tone, presenting information without overt bias. It includes quotes from officials and experts, which adds balance. However, it slightly leans toward financial market perspectives.

Reuters logoReutersIndependentCenterFactual 60Objective 7518 days ago
Gold eases from over two-month high as rising oil prices cloud rate outlook

The price of gold declined slightly from a two-month high, influenced by rising oil prices which have introduced uncertainty regarding central bank interest rate decisions. The movement in gold prices reflects market concerns about inflationary pressures and potential changes in monetary policy. Investors are closely watching oil price trends as they may impact economic growth and inflation forecasts. This development highlights the interconnectedness between energy markets and financial assets.

Bias read (Center): The article presents a balanced report on gold price movements and their relation to oil prices and monetary policy expectations. It does not take a clear ideological stance but rather provides factual information based on market conditions. There is no evident slant toward either progressive or reg

Why factuality (60): This article focuses on gold prices and US inflation data, which are unrelated to the main event covered in the other articles. As such, it lacks alignment with the cross-source consensus on the RBA's decision and related topics.

Why objectivity (75): The article remains objective in its reporting of gold price movements and market expectations. However, its focus on a different topic means it doesn't engage with the broader context of the RBA's decision.

The Guardian (World) logoThe Guardian (World)IndependentCenterFactual 55Objective 6018 days ago
Bullock warns more hikes possible after RBA holds cash rate at 4.35% – as it happened

On Tuesday, August 11, the Australian Reserve Bank (RBA) decided to keep the cash rate at 4.35%, maintaining expectations but expressing concerns about ongoing inflation pressures. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese faced backlash for joking about a gift of melons from Japan's prime minister, though he has not apologized. The Victorian government delayed legislation on work-from-home rights until after the upcoming election. Meanwhile, discussions continued between major parties on gambling reform, and the federal agriculture minister announced plans to vaccinate certain bird species against H5 bird flu. Other notable developments included criticism of the Coalition's approach to work-from-home policies and internal changes within KPMG ahead of parliamentary inquiries.

Bias read (Center): The article presents a range of political developments without overtly favoring any particular side. It reports on decisions by the RBA, criticisms of the PM, legislative delays, and inter-party discussions on various issues. While there are mentions of political tensions and criticisms, the framing

Why factuality (55): This article lists various news items but does not provide detailed analysis or specific facts about any single topic. It serves more as a list of headlines rather than a full report, making it difficult to assess factual accuracy. The lack of depth limits the ability to evaluate its factual content

Why objectivity (60): The tone is neutral as it simply presents a list of headlines without commentary. However, the format makes it challenging to determine if there is any underlying bias or perspective being promoted.

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