Statement by Glenn Stevens, Governor: Monetary Policy Decision - July 2013 | Media Releases | RBA
Central bank: rba | Type: statement | Date: 2013-07-02

Media Release
Statement by Glenn Stevens, Governor:
Monetary Policy Decision
2 July 2013
At its meeting today, the Board decided to leave the cash rate unchanged at 2.75
Recent information is consistent with global growth running a bit below average this
year, with reasonable prospects of a pick-up next year. Commodity prices
have declined further but, overall, remain at high levels by historical standards.
Inflation has moderated over recent months in a number of countries.
Globally, financial conditions remain very accommodative. However, a reassessment
by the market of the outlook for monetary policy in the United States has
seen a noticeable rise in sovereign bond yields from exceptionally low levels.
Volatility in financial markets has increased and there has been some widening
of credit spreads.
In Australia, the recent national accounts confirmed that the economy has been growing
a bit below trend over the recent period. This is expected to continue in
the near term as the economy adjusts to lower levels of mining investment.
The unemployment rate has edged higher over the past year and growth in labour
costs has moderated. Inflation has been consistent with the medium-term target
and is expected to remain so over the next one to two years, notwithstanding
the effects of the recent depreciation of the exchange rate.
The easing in monetary policy over the past 18 months has supported interest-sensitive
spending and asset values and further effects can be expected over time.
The pace of borrowing has remained relatively subdued, though recently there
are signs of increased demand for finance by households.
The Australian dollar has depreciated by around 10 per cent since early April, although
it remains at a high level. It is possible that the exchange rate will depreciate
further over time, which would help to foster a rebalancing of growth in
the economy.
At today's meeting the Board judged that the easier financial conditions now
in place will contribute to a strengthening of growth over time, consistent
with achieving the inflation target. It decided that the stance of monetary
policy remained appropriate for the time being. The Board also judged that
the inflation outlook, as currently assessed, may provide some scope for
further easing, should that be required to support demand.
Dr Christopher Kent
Assistant Governor (Economic)
Phone: +61 2 9551 8800
Dr Guy Debelle
Assistant Governor (Financial Markets)
Phone: +61 2 9551 8200
Media Office
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