RBA moves goalposts and keeps rates on hold
The Reserve Bank’s shock decision not to cut rates will hurt mortgage holders and the economy.
On this episode of Dollars & Sense, substitute Greg (Matt Grudnoff) returns to discuss Trump’s Big Pharma tariffs, the privatisation of childcare, and why the RBA got it wrong in its latest interest rate decision.
This discussion was recorded on Wednesday 9 July 2025 and things may have changed since recording.
Host: Matt Grudnoff, Senior Economist, the Australia Institute // @mattgrudnoff
Host: Elinor Johnston-Leek, Senior Content Producer, the Australia Institute // @elinorjohnstonleek
Show notes:
Wrong call – RBA rate hold unfairly dashes borrowers’ hopes for relief, the Australia Institute (July 2025)
How to fix Australia’s broken childcare system so everybody wins by Matt Grudnoff, the Australia Institute (November 2024)
Our PBS is a national treasure, not an international trade barrier, the Australia Institute (April 2025)
Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions
We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au.
Between the Lines Newsletter
The biggest stories and the best analysis from the team at the Australia Institute, delivered to your inbox every fortnight.
You might also like
Another hold likely. So, what was the point of the RBA review?
Will the RBA cut interest rates tomorrow? Probably not. It’s Groundhog Day and they’re locked into repeatedly making to same mistake over and over again. A mistake that the recent RBA review criticised them for making just before the pandemic.
Chalmers is right, the RBA has smashed the economy
In recent weeks the Treasurer Jim Chalmers has been criticised by the opposition and some conservative economists for pointing out that the 13 interest rate increases have slowed Australia’s economy. But the data shows he is right.
Rates are down (Elinor still can’t afford a house)
Rate cuts are great, but the Government needs to make sure that housing investors aren’t the main beneficiaries.