Statement by Philip Lowe, Governor: Monetary Policy Decision - July 2022 | Media Releases | RBA
Central bank: rba | Type: statement | Date: 2022-07-05

Media Release
Statement by Philip Lowe, Governor: Monetary Policy Decision
5 July 2022
At its meeting today, the Board decided to increase the cash rate target by 50 basis points to
1.35 per cent. It also increased the interest rate on Exchange Settlement balances by
50 basis points to 1.25 per cent.
Global inflation is high. It is being boosted by COVID-related disruptions to supply chains, the war in
Ukraine and strong demand which is putting pressure on productive capacity. Monetary policy globally is
responding to this higher inflation, although it will be some time yet before inflation returns to target
in most countries.
Inflation in Australia is also high, but not as high as it is in many other countries. Global factors
account for much of the increase in inflation in Australia, but domestic factors are also playing a role.
Strong demand, a tight labour market and capacity constraints in some sectors are contributing to the
upward pressure on prices. The floods are also affecting some prices.
Inflation is forecast to peak later this year and then decline back towards the
per cent range next year. As global supply-side problems
continue to ease and commodity prices stabilise, even if at a high level, inflation is expected to
moderate. Higher interest rates will also help establish a more sustainable balance between the demand
for and the supply of goods and services. Medium-term inflation expectations remain well anchored and it
is important that this remains the case. A full set of updated forecasts will be published next month
following the release of the June quarter CPI.
The Australian economy remains resilient and the labour market is tighter than it has been for some time.
The unemployment rate was steady at 3.9 per cent in May, the lowest rate in almost
50 years. Underemployment has also fallen significantly. Job vacancies and job ads are both at very
high levels and a further decline in unemployment and underemployment is expected over the months ahead.
The Bank's business liaison program and business surveys continue to point to a lift in wages growth
from the low rates of recent years as firms compete for staff in the tight labour market.
One source of ongoing uncertainty about the economic outlook is the behaviour of household spending. The
recent spending data have been positive, although household budgets are under pressure from higher prices
and higher interest rates. Housing prices have also declined in some markets over recent months after the
large increases of recent years. The household saving rate remains higher than it was before the pandemic
and many households have built up large financial buffers and are benefiting from stronger income growth.
The Board will be paying close attention to these various influences on household spending as it assesses
the appropriate setting of monetary policy.
The Board will also be paying close attention to the global outlook, which remains clouded by the war in
Ukraine and its effect on the prices for energy and agricultural commodities. Real household incomes are
under pressure in many economies and financial conditions are tightening, as central banks increase
interest rates. There are also ongoing uncertainties related to COVID, especially in China.
Today's increase in interest rates is a further step in the withdrawal of the extraordinary monetary
support that was put in place to help insure the Australian economy against the worst possible effects of
the pandemic. The resilience of the economy and the higher inflation mean that this extraordinary support
is no longer needed. The Board expects to take further steps in the process of normalising monetary
conditions in Australia over the months ahead. The size and timing of future interest rate increases will
be guided by the incoming data and the Board's assessment of the outlook for inflation and the labour
market. The Board is committed to doing what is necessary to ensure that inflation in Australia returns
to target over time.
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