Warning for borrowers as RBA frets over its credibility
The Reserve Bank is worried about 1970s-style runaway inflation if it loses credibility in fighting inflation, as analysts warn of up to five more rate hikes.
central bank
RBA’s stagflation nightmare: prices up, confidence down
Consumer and business confidence has taken a dive following the Iran conflict, highlighting the Reserve Bank's dual fears of falling activity and rising prices.
RBA to sift through jobs data as world watches Hormuz
The labour market will be top of the economic agenda in the coming week, while speaking engagements from central bank officials will be closely studied.
Consumer spending and confidence in the spotlight
Analysts and governments will pore over latest economic data this week for more insight into the devastating impact of soaring fuel prices on the nation.
Cafes, hotels take swipe at $1.6b consumer card fee win
The RBA has binned surcharge fees on debit and credit card transactions, which it says will save punters $1.6 billion - if businesses pass on the savings.
RBA to air board’s disagreement in meeting minutes
Central bank watchers will get to peak into the Reserve Bank board room as minutes of a meeting that split 5-4 in favour of an interest rate hike are released.
The RBA conflict that could decide its next rates call
Australia's central bank must abandon its narrow path and choose between getting inflation down quickly or keeping unemployment low, economists say.
RBA ready to shift up a gear as the neutral rate rises
The Iran war will hurt consumers by pushing up prices and slowing the economy but the Reserve Bank must act to contain inflation expectations, an official says.
Three more rate hikes tipped as prices begin to rise
Construction contractors are already hiking prices due to rising fuel costs, in a sign the US-Israeli war in Iran is contributing to economy-wide inflation.
Upcoming inflation data to show calm before the storm
February consumer price data to be released on Wednesday will shape the Reserve Bank's thinking on interest rates ahead of a crucial meeting in May.
RBA frets over severe global shock from Middle East war
Spillover from the Iran war and an uptick in risky lending to first-home buyers could threaten Australia's financial stability, the Reserve Bank warns.
Treasurer warns of major economic damage from Iran war
Fresh modelling shows oil price shocks and soaring prices for other commodities will have a lasting impact on Australia's economy.
Big four banks predict three consecutive RBA rate hikes
The Middle East conflict could prompt the Aussie dollar to plummet and the Reserve Bank to hike interest rates to 15-year highs in 2026, analysts say.
Interest rate hike ‘no slam dunk’ amid Iran uncertainty
Traders and economists widely expect the Reserve Bank to lift interest rates but uncertainty over the Iran war could convince the board to keep them on hold.
Collateral damage: war threatens to blow up inflation
Domestic pressures were behind the Reserve Bank's decision to hike interest rates, governor Michele Bullock says, although the Iran war will worsen inflation.
Iran conflict raises spectre of triple RBA rate hike
Households are being warned to brace for a second interest rate rise in as many months as three big banks react to comments from a top Reserve Bank official.
Rate hike odds spike for ‘live’ March RBA meeting
The battle to tame inflation has been thrown into more uncertainty by conflict in Iran and the Middle East, the Reserve Bank governor says.
‘Too high’: risk to economy forces RBA’s hand on rates
Minutes from the Reserve Bank's latest meeting reveal the thinking behind its call to lift interest rates for the first in more than two years.
Reserve Bank boss calls on businesses to invest smarter
Opposition MPs have grilled Reserve Bank officials over whether government spending and monetary policy errors contributed to the first rate hike in two years.
Private demand under the microscope after rate hike
Fresh data will reveal whether the strong momentum in private spending, which spurred the Reserve Bank to lift interest rates, has continued into 2026.
Mortgage holders brace for hundreds more in repayments
Two incorrect assumptions have set the Reserve Bank on track for a costly U-turn on interest rates, with borrowers facing steeper repayments on their mortgages.
Borrowed time: rate hike unlikely to be one-and-done
Mortgage holders could face back-to-back rate hikes after the Reserve Bank raised interest rates amid rising inflation pressures.
Row over government role fuelling inflation, rate rise
Spending blow-outs by the government will force the Reserve Bank to hike rates, critics say, but the treasurer argues the private sector is driving inflation.
Trump names Kevin Warsh as next Federal Reserve chair
US President Donald Trump says he'll nominate former Federal Reserve governor Kevin Warsh to be the next Fed chair.
Why some economists go against the flow on RBA rate bet
The Reserve Bank is widely tipped to become the first major central bank on Tuesday to U-turn from rate cuts to rate hikes in the post-COVID inflation era.
Magic number that could decide an interest rate hike
Traders now tip a greater-than-50 per cent chance of an interest rate hike in February, but some pundits are holding out hope for a Reserve Bank reprieve.
US Dept of Justice probe into Fed chair sparks backlash
The Trump administration's criminal investigation of Fed chair Jerome Powell has triggered a backlash that threatens to undermine the White House's goals.
Robust jobs market risks adding fuel to inflation fire
Australia's labour market remains tight, with limited spare capacity keeping pressure on already-high inflation and shortening the odds of interest rate hikes.
Central bankers defend Fed’s Powell after Trump threat
Fed chair Jerome Powell has the backing of fellow central bankers from Europe to Australia after the Trump administration threatened him with criminal charges.
Complacency risk for economy as tariff wars re-emerge
A deterioration in the job market could spare Australian borrowers interest rate hikes in 2026, an economist says.
Fed subpoenaed, indictment threatened: chair
Fed chair Jerome Powell says the Department of Justice has served the central bank with subpoenas and threatened indictment over his testimony on renovations.