Official Interest Rate Bulletin PO Box 741 Rozelle NSW 2039 Tel: 1300 885 559 Mob: 0405 534 344 Fax: 1300 885 559 Email: info@sydneymortgagepractice.com.au Web: www.sydneymortgagepractice.com.au CANCELLED Kinross Director RBA Leaves Official Cash Rate Unchanged At its meeting today, the RBA Board decided to leave the official cash rate unchanged at 7.25 per cent. Whilst interest rate moves are being keenly watched by all we will continue to update you on the result of each RBA meeting. If you have any questions in general about interest rates, or would like to review your current finance & loan arrangements, please contact our office. Statement by Glenn Stevens, Governor Monetary Policy RBA Inflation in Australia has been high over the past year in an environment of limited spare capacity and earlier strong growth in demand. In these circumstances, the Board has been seeking to restrain demand in order to reduce inflation over time. As a result of earlier decisions by the Board, additional rises in market interest rates and tougher credit standards for some borrowers, there has been a substantial tightening in financial conditions since the middle of last year. Conditions in international financial markets, though gradually improving, also remain difficult. The evidence is that this is helping to produce a moderation in demand. While labour market conditions to date have remained strong, indicators of household spending have recorded subdued outcomes over recent months, and credit expansion to both households and businesses has weakened significantly. The rise in Australia's terms of trade that is currently occurring will work in the opposite direction. It will add substantially to national income and ability to spend, even with the slowing in global growth to below-trend pace that the Bank is assuming. Given the opposing forces at work, considerable uncertainty remains about the outlook for demand and inflation. On balance, the Board's current assessment is that demand growth will be moderate this year. In the short term, inflation is likely to remain relatively high, but it should decline over time provided demand evolves as expected. Should demand not slow as expected, or should expectations of high ongoing inflation begin to affect wage and price setting, that outlook would need to be reviewed. Weighing up the available domestic and international information, the Board's judgement is that the current stance of monetary policy remains appropriate for the time being. The Board will continue to evaluate prospects for economic activity and inflation in the light of new information. Disclaimer Disclaimer: This newsletter is intended to provide general news and information only. Readers should rely on their own enquiries before making any decisions regarding their own interests. Please do not rely on any part of this newsletter as a substitute for specific legal or financial advice. All material is copyright 2009.