mortgage rates

Swan, Gillard in the dark... from 6.00 pm

Peter Martin - July 19, 2010 - 12:04pm

For five weeks our public service will serve us, not them

From the moment government enters caretaker mode at 6.00 pm eastern time today our economic landscape will be beyond the power of politicians to influence.

The Reserve Bank board will consider interest rates two weeks from tomorrow with Treasury Secretary Ken Henry in attendance. But in a reversal of the usual procedure Dr Henry will nether discuss the decision with his Treasurer nor seek the Mr Swan's view as to how he should vote. Read more »

Lock August 3 in your diary, it's the most likely date for a pre-election hike

Peter Martin - July 7, 2010 - 1:36pm

Really

A mid-election campaign interest rate hike is now a live possibility after the Reserve Bank board signaled a potential move in August.

The Bank's August 3 meeting is the only one in the expected campaign period set to follow the release of official inflation figures, on Wednesday July 28. Read more »

"I'll keep prices and rates low" - there's an idea

Peter Martin - July 19, 2010 - 9:02am

It's only begun

Tony Abbott has pledged to keep both prices and interest rates low in a move that will pressure Julia Gillard as inflation figures are interest rate decisions are released in the coming two weeks.

Ahead of an inflation figure due next week that financial markets expect to be high Mr Abbott said since Labor took office electricity prices had climbed 35 per cent, gas prices 24 per cent, water prices 29 per cent, bread 11 per cent and rents 15 per cent. Read more »