In the minutes of April 5 meeting, RBA said, inflation in Australia had “picked up” and a “further increase was expected” with measures of underlying inflation in the March quarter expected to be above 3%. Wages growth had “picked up” too but “had been below rates likely to be consistent with inflation being sustainably at the target.” These developments have “brought forward the likely timing of the first increase in interest rates. ”
“Over coming months, important additional evidence will be available on both inflation and the evolution of labour costs. Consistent with its announced framework, the Board agreed that it would be appropriate to assess this evidence and other incoming information as it sets policy to support full employment in Australia and inflation outcomes consistent with the target.”
