Graham Cooke (pictured right), head of consumer research at Finder, pointed out that the central bank faces a difficult task balancing inflation and economic growth. “Monthly inflation just hit the top of the RBA’s 2-3% range, so the forthcoming quarterly figures will determine if borrowers see some more relief before Christmas,” he said.
“The chance of a cut (today) is miniscule, but borrowers can still find ways to save. Look at what competing banks are offering and leverage this in your negotiation with your lender. If they don’t budge, it might be time to switch.”
Peter Boehm, from Pathfinder Consulting, questioned the timing of the August rate cut. “With inflation ticking up it would seem the RBA’s last rate cut was premature,” he said. “It seems highly unlikely to me that the RBA would risk a further rate cut when the direction of inflation is upwards, fuelled by high levels of government spending and expensive power due to significantly high domestic and commercial power prices.”
While 20% of Australians—about 4.3 million people—say they have benefited from lower repayments and increased borrowing capacity, the majority have seen little or no change. Sixty-one percent reported no significant impact from the rate cuts.
Savers, particularly those on fixed incomes or saving for a deposit, have seen their returns diminish as interest rates fall. Noel Whittaker, from QUT, cautioned that inflation remains a concern and that government measures to ease first-home buyer mortgage insurance could further drive up prices. “We don’t need to add increased rates to this heady mix,” he said.