Australia
RBA's Macfarlane sees growth close to 4 percent
In his opening statement to the House of Representatives Standing Committee given on 4 June, Ian Macfarlane of the RBA said that the Australian economy was set to grow by 3.75 percent in 2004 and signalled the Reserve Bank was "comfortable" with interest…
RBA's Stevens on economic conditions and prospects
In a speech on 'Economic conditions and prospects: June 2004' given on 2 June, Glenn Stevens of the Reserve Bank of Australia said Australia's economy was still growing comfortably but at a slower rate than the unsustainable pace of late 2003.
Reserve Bank of Australia Bulletin, May 2004
The Reserve Bank of Australia published its May 2004 Bulletin on 20 May. The Bulletin includes articles titled 'Residential Property Investors in Australia' And 'Banking Fees in Australia'.
Trans-Tasman currency to be discussed
Australia's high commissioner to New Zealand is promoting a common currency between the two countries as a way to advance the trans-Tasman relationship.
RBA Statement on Monetary Policy, May 2004
The Reserve Bank of Australia has published its May 2004 Statement on Monetary Policy. The RBA said easing currency woes, a cooling housing market and an improving global economy had improved the prospects for balanced growth. While the risks to the…
RBA's Stevens on regional financial arrangements
In a speech on 'Regional Financial Arrangements: Recent Developments' given on 15 April, Glenn Stevens of the RBA said a key reason for wanting well-developed capital markets is that having a diversity of funding sources for governments, businesses and…
Macfarlane on the world economy and Australia
In a speech on 'The World Economy and its Implications for Australia' given on 14 April, Ian Macfarlane of the RBA said we are still waiting for the durability of the world economic recovery to be sufficiently recognised so that the major central banks…
RBA Financial Stability Review, March 2004
The Reserve Bank of Australia has published the first edition of its new report, the Financial Stability Review for March 2004. The report will be published every six months.
RBA's Edey on economic issues in 2004
In the speech 'Economic Issues in 2004' given on 3 March Malcolm Edey of the Reserve Bank of Australia said the Australian economy has generally grown at a pretty good pace over the last few years, despite an unfavourable international climate for much…
RBA's Edey on the international economy
In a speech on 'The International Economy' given on 27 February, Malcolm Edey of the Reserve Bank of Australia said the world economy does seem to be recovering after three years of underperformance in the early part of this decade but the outlook is…
RBA's Edey upbeat on world economy
Reserve Bank of Australia's Assistant Governor, Economic Group, Malcolm Edey said on Friday 27 February that the year 2004 is likely to be an above average year for the world economy as once-important risks fade.
RBA tackles hidden fees in credit cards
The Reserve Bank of Australia ruled on Monday 23 February that Visa's debit card was a payments system and covered by the Payment Systems Act, allowing the bank to set standards for the card.
RBA's Stevens on recent issues for monetary policy
In a speech on 'Recent issues for the conduct of monetary policy' given on 17 February, Glenn Stevens of the Reserve Bank of Australia said the bank raised interest rates late last year because of inflationary risks and demand for credit.
RBA Statement on Monetary Policy, February 2004
The Reserve Bank of Australia released its February 2004 Statement on Monetary Policy on 9 February. The report painted a positive picture of domestic and global growth but said that while inflation is currently tailing off, it is likely to rise next…
Macfarlane's credit card bill rumpus
Australia's newspapers went into overdrive this week after one was able to obtain RBA governor Ian Macfarlane's American Express statements under a "Freedom of Information request". The bank was forced to defend Macfarlane's $249,000 credit card bill,…
RBA holds rates unchanged
The Reserve Bank of Australia left interest rates unchanged on Wednesday 4 February, pausing after two increases in November and December.
RBA's Macfarlane awarded top Australia Day honour
Governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia Ian Macfarlane was awarded Australia's highest honour this week in a list published each year on Australia Day.
Ex RBA governor hits on 'scandalous' salaries
Bernie Fraser, the former governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia, has taken a swipe at executive pay levels.
RBA reseach paper on the Phillips curve
The Reserve bank of Australia has issued a research discussion paper on the real-time forecasting performance of the Phillips curve.
RBA appoints new Deputy Governor
The Reserve Bank of Australia has appointed Dr Philip Lowe as Assistant Governor, Financial System. Lowe joined the RBA 1980 after completing a PhD in economics at MIT. He will take up the position in early 2004.
Calls for RBA board to be 'rejigged'
A National Party Senator has called for the Reserve Bank of Australia's board to be "rejigged" following the RBA's recent rate rise, ABC News reports. He called for the make-up of the Reserve Bank board to be broadened with more rural representation than…
RBA's Macfarlane on inflation targeting
In his Opening Statement to House of Representatives Standing Committee on Economics, Finance and Public Administration given on 8 December I.J. Macfarlane of the Reserve Bank of Australia said he wanted to assure the Committee that the bank remains…
RBA chief Macfarlane regrets rate rise
Ian Macfarlane, governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia, said on Monday 8 December that he was sorry interest rates had to go up as it would hurt mortgage holders, according to the Herald Sun. "I suspect it's in this group of people, who are most…
Public to grill RBA chief Macfarlane
The governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia Ian Macfarlane will appear before a federal parliamentary economics committee on Monday 8 December, according to a report by The Age.. It's the first time he has faced the six-monthly public hearings in…