澳大利亚储备银行行长米歇尔·布洛克在悉尼表示，央行8月会议可能考虑进一步提高利率以应对通胀压力。[1]布洛克重申，央行"准备根据需要采取行动实现其任务，包括如果需要进一步提高现金利率"。[1]官方现金利率目前为4.35%，央行已在今年内三度加息。[1]央行董事会将于8月10日和11日召开会议。[1]
布洛克警告，澳大利亚生产率增长持续疲弱构成经济长期增长的基本性挑战。[1]澳大利亚生产率自2021年以来基本持平，住房建筑和采矿等领域甚至出现实际下降。[1]她指出，在生产率增长缓慢的背景下，澳大利亚人将难以获得实际工资增长。[1]同时，布洛克提醒称，全球近年来变得更易受冲击，最近的油价上涨对央行政策构成复杂影响。[2]
Reserve Bank of Australia Governor Michele Bullock has indicated that a further increase in the official cash rate could be on the agenda when the central bank's board meets on August 10 and 11.[1] Speaking at a Sydney charity event, Bullock stated that the board is "prepared to act as required" to achieve its inflation target, "including by increasing the cash rate further if needed."[1][2] The current official cash rate stands at 4.35 percent, with the Reserve Bank having raised rates three times already this year.[1]
Bullock warned of mounting structural challenges facing the Australian economy, particularly the pronounced slowdown in productivity growth.[1][2] She cautioned that with productivity essentially flat since 2021—with actual declines recorded in housing construction and mining sectors—Australians will struggle to achieve real wage increases without intensifying inflationary pressures.[1] This productivity weakness presents a fundamental constraint on long-term economic growth, Bullock emphasized.[2] Financial markets currently estimate the probability of a rate rise next month at approximately one-third.[1] The governor also noted that the global economy has become increasingly vulnerable to supply shocks in recent years, with recent oil price movements adding complexity to policy decisions.[2]