The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA), which has kept its rate steady since cutting it in August 2016, also said there were more consistent signs in recent months that non-mining business investment was picking up and "a consolidation of this trend would be a welcome development."
Australia's economy grew by 0.8 percent in the second quarter from the first, up from 0.3 percent in the previous quarter, for annual growth of 1.8 percent, unchanged from the first quarter.
In its August monetary policy statement, the RBA forecast growth would average 1.75 - 2.75 percent this year before accelerating to 2.50 - 3.50 percent in 2018 and 2.75 - 3.75 in 2019.
As in its September policy statement, the RBA said the rise in the Australian dollar, known as the Aussie, was helping keep inflation in check but also weighing on the outlook for output and employment, and a higher exchange rate would result in slower growth and inflation than currently forecast.
Inflation in the second quarter eased to 1.9 percent from 2.1 percent in the first quarter and the RBA currently forecasts that inflation will slowly rise to 2 - 3 percent in the years ending June 2019 and December.
The Aussie has been in an uptrend since January 2016 though it is down almost 2 percent from early September and was trading at 1.279 to the U.S. dollar earlier today. But compared with the start of this year the Aussie is still up 8.7 percent.
The Reserve Bank of Australia issued the following statement:
"At its meeting today, the Board decided to leave the cash
rate unchanged at 1.50 per cent.
Conditions in the global economy have improved. Labour
markets have tightened and above-trend growth is expected in a number of
advanced economies, although uncertainties remain. Growth in the Chinese
economy is being supported by increased spending on infrastructure and property
construction, with the high level of debt continuing to present a medium-term
risk. Australia's terms of trade are expected to decline in the period ahead
but remain at relatively high levels.
Wage growth remains low in most countries, as does core
inflation. Headline inflation rates are generally lower than at the start of
the year, largely reflecting the earlier decline in oil prices. In the United
States, the Federal Reserve has indicated that it will begin the process of
balance sheet normalisation in October and that it expects to increase interest
rates further. In the other major economies, there is no longer an expectation
of additional monetary easing. Financial markets have been functioning
effectively and volatility remains low.
The Australian economy expanded by 0.8 per cent in the June
quarter. This outcome and other recent data are consistent with the Bank's
expectation that growth in the Australian economy will gradually pick up over
the coming year.
Over recent months there have been more consistent signs
that non-mining business investment is picking up. A consolidation of this
trend would be a welcome development. Business conditions as reported in surveys
are at a high level and capacity utilisation has risen. A large pipeline of
infrastructure investment is also supporting the outlook. Against this, slow
growth in real wages and high levels of household debt are likely to constrain
growth in household spending.
Employment has continued to grow strongly over recent
months. Employment has increased in all states and has been accompanied by a
rise in labour force participation. The various forward-looking indicators
point to solid growth in employment over the period ahead, although the
unemployment rate is expected to decline only gradually over the next couple of
years.
Wage growth remains low. This is likely to continue for a
while yet, although the stronger conditions in the labour market should see
some lift in wage growth over time. Inflation also remains low and is expected
to pick up gradually as the economy strengthens.
The Australian dollar has appreciated since mid year,
partly reflecting a lower US dollar. The higher exchange rate is expected to contribute
to continued subdued price pressures in the economy. It is also weighing on the
outlook for output and employment. An appreciating exchange rate would be
expected to result in a slower pick-up in economic activity and inflation than
currently forecast.
Growth in housing debt has been outpacing the slow growth
in household incomes for some time. To address the medium-term risks associated
with high and rising household indebtedness, APRA has introduced a number of
supervisory measures. Following some tightening in credit conditions, growth in
borrowing by investors has slowed a little recently. In the housing market,
conditions continue to vary considerably around the country. Housing prices
have been rising briskly in some markets, while in others they have been
declining. In Sydney, where prices have increased significantly, there have
been further signs that conditions are easing. In the eastern capital cities, a
considerable additional supply of apartments is scheduled to come on stream
over the next couple of years. Rent increases remain low in most cities.
The low level of interest rates is continuing to support
the Australian economy. Taking account of the available information, the Board
judged that holding the stance of monetary policy unchanged at this meeting
would be consistent with sustainable growth in the economy and achieving the
inflation target over time."
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