Reserve Bank Governor Michele Bullock expressed concern during a parliamentary hearing that inflation is higher than expected, potentially forcing another interest rate hike in September. She noted that factors such as the Middle East conflict and advancements in artificial intelligence are contributing to rising energy, food, and tech prices, increasing the likelihood of further rate increases to curb inflation by 2027. Deputy Governor Andrew Hauser highlighted the unexpected strength of the AI boom, which has added upward pressure on demand and inflation.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-09-18,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
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The Reserve Bank's fears about inflation have materialised, governor Michele Bullock says, which could force it to raise interest rates again.
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which → see → rates
Her comments during a parliamentary hearing on Friday morning reaffirmed expectations that the central bank would hike rates for a fourth time this year at its upcoming board meeting in late September.
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bank → reaffirm → September
Inflation was too high, but the key question for the RBA at that meeting would be whether the bank's three rate rises to date were enough to bring inflation back to target in a reasonable time, Bullock said.
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Bullock → bring → time
At the bank's last meeting in August, the RBA forecast that inflation would return to the middle of its target range by the end of 2027.
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inflation → forecast → 2027
Even that was not assured, with inflation more likely to overshoot the bank's forecasts than undershoot it.
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inflation → assure → it
If that proved to be the case, more rate hikes might be warranted, the RBA board said at the time.
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board → prove → time
'Developments since then suggest that, although growth in the Australian economy is slowing, some of these upside risks to inflation appear to be materialising,' Bullock said on Friday.
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Bullock → suggest → Friday
The Middle East conflict, the AI boom, and extreme weather events have added to pressure on energy, food, and tech prices, she said.
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she → add → prices
RBA governor Michele Bullock says the risks from higher inflation are materialising in Australia
Bullock's inflation warning comes as the International Monetary Fund has urged Jim Chalmers and state treasurers to rein in government spending as borrowing costs hit a 15-year high
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costs → say → high
Oil and related prices have increased sharply again and will add directly to inflation.'
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prices → increase → inflation
The benchmark Brent crude price remained above $US104 a barrel, despite a modest sell-off in oil overnight on news that Saudi Arabia plans to bring its East-West pipeline back online in a reduced capacity following attacks by Iran-backed Houthi forces.
But as businesses increasingly saw no end in sight to the war and price increases, they were growing more inclined to pass on costs to consumers, which risked making inflation more persistent, Bullock said.
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Bullock → remain → consumers
After inflation came in hotter than expected in July, money markets have raised the chance for a September rate rise above 80 per cent, with two hikes fully priced in by March 2027.
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hikes → come → March
Higher for longer interest rates and fuel prices would hit economic growth, but that has been swamped by the AI boom, which has pushed up demand in a way the RBA did not foresee.
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RBA → hit → way
'Just back from the US and in addition to ... the upside risk of inflation from the Middle East, what is also very striking is how strong the AI and tech boom is and has been,' said RBA deputy governor Andrew Hauser.
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Hauser → say → East
'That's not just true in the US; it's true in the Asia Pacific region as well, who are of course our closest trading partners, and our forecasts for global growth have been repeatedly surprised on the upside.
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forecasts → surprise → upside
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Given Australia's productivity malaise, a period of slower growth was needed to bring inflation down, Bullock said.
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Bullock → give → inflation
The nation's deepening housing downturn would help take some steam out of the economy, but while prices have fallen in most capital cities, they were still about 50 per cent higher than they were in early 2020.
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they → deepen → 2020
Bullock's inflation warning comes as the International Monetary Fund has urged Jim Chalmers and state treasurers to rein in government spending as borrowing costs hit a 15-year high.
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costs → come → high
'With public debt and interest costs rising, particularly in some states, a gradual tightening of the fiscal stance would help rebuild buffers,' the IMF said in its latest report on Australia.
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IMF → rise → Australia
'Public spending has increased steadily since the global financial crisis, and greater efforts will be needed to contain spending growth by strengthening efficiency and prioritisation.
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efforts → increase → efficiency
'The combined fiscal deficit of the commonwealth and state governments widened over the past two fiscal years, reflecting large infrastructure investment by states, rising social spending, especially healthcare and the National Disability Insurance scheme, and response to the global energy price shock.'
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deficit → widen → shock
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