Statement by Glenn Stevens, Governor: Monetary Policy Decision - April 2010 | Media Releases | RBA
Central bank: rba | Type: statement | Date: 2010-04-06

Media Release
Statement by Glenn Stevens, Governor:
Monetary Policy Decision
6 April 2010
At its meeting today, the Board decided to raise the cash rate by 25 basis
points to 4.25 per cent, effective 7 April 2010.
The global economy is growing, and world GDP is expected to rise at close
to trend pace in 2010 and 2011. The expansion is still hesitant in the major
countries, due to the continuing legacy of the financial crisis, resulting
in ongoing excess capacity. In Asia, where financial sectors are not impaired,
growth has continued to be quite strong, contributing to pressure on prices
for raw materials. The authorities in several countries outside the major
industrial economies have now started to reduce the degree of stimulus to
their economies.
Global financial markets are functioning much better than they were a year
ago and the extraordinary support from governments and central banks is gradually
being wound back. Credit conditions remain difficult in some major countries
as banks continue to face loan losses associated with the period of economic
weakness. The concerns regarding some sovereigns appear to have been contained
at this stage.
Australia's terms of trade are rising, adding to incomes and fostering
a build-up in investment in the resources sector. Under these conditions,
output growth over the year ahead is likely to exceed that seen last year,
even though the effects of earlier expansionary policy measures will be diminishing.
The rate of unemployment appears to have peaked at a much lower level than
earlier expected. The process of business sector de-leveraging is moderating,
with the pace of the decline in business credit lessening and indications
that lenders are starting to become more willing to lend to some borrowers.
Credit for housing has been expanding at a solid pace. New loan approvals
for housing have moderated over recent months as interest rates have risen
and the impact of large grants to first-home buyers has tailed off. Nonetheless,
at this point the market for established dwellings is still characterised
by considerable buoyancy, with prices continuing to increase in the early
part of 2010.
Inflation has, as expected, declined in underlying terms from its peak in
2008, helped by a noticeable slowing in private-sector labour costs during
2009, the rise in the exchange rate and the earlier period of slower growth
in demand. CPI inflation has risen somewhat recently as temporary factors
that had been holding it to quite low rates are now abating. Inflation is
expected to be consistent with the target in 2010.
With the risk of serious economic contraction in Australia having passed some
time ago, the Board has been lessening the degree of monetary stimulus that
was put in place when the outlook appeared to be much weaker. Lenders have
generally raised rates a little more than the cash rate.
Interest rates to most borrowers nonetheless have been somewhat lower than
average. The Board judges that with growth likely to be around trend and
inflation close to target over the coming year, it is appropriate for interest
rates to be closer to average. Today's decision is a further step in
that process.
Dr Philip Lowe
Assistant Governor (Economic)
Phone: +61 2 9551 8800
Dr Guy Debelle
Assistant Governor (Financial Markets)
Phone: +61 2 9551 8200
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