RBA holds interest rate steady
The decision by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) to keep interest rates on hold at 4.25 per cent yesterday (April 3) has been met with consternation from some Australian bodies.
With concern for economic wellbeing and commercial growth, the Housing Industry Association (HIA) has expressed its dismay at the RBA’s announcement, calling it a missed opportunity to boost consumer and business confidence.
While the rate is relatively lower than the 4.75 per cent rate posted at this time last year, many experts have called for a further decrease in order to spur purchasing activity and encourage growth.
HIA senior economist Andrew Harvey echoed these sentiments: “Given the current global and domestic economic conditions a rate cut today would have been the appropriate call, but regrettably the Reserve Bank Board did not take that decision.”
RBA governor Glenn Stevens conceded that growth had been somewhat slower than originally estimated, but determined the wisest course of action was to wait on upcoming key data on prices to reassess its outlook for inflation.
Essentially, it seems that next month may see an ease in monetary policy if conditions continue on the same course – a decision the HIA has been lobbying for over the past couple of months.
“HIA’s view is that at some point in 2012 the Reserve Bank’s hand is likely to be forced and rates will be cut, perhaps more than once. The sooner this happens the more quickly confidence and economic growth will lift to more respectable levels,” said Mr Harvey.
While industry experts continue to lobby for an interest rate cut, there are still market conditions favourable to specific areas of the property sector – those looking to build or renovate are seeing a high availability of labourers and a coinciding reduction in prices.
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