Reserve Bank of Australia Governor Michele Bullock said Tuesday that an interest rate hike remains possible as early as this month if inflation expectations become unanchored. Speaking at a business conference, she stressed that the board would not necessarily wait for the full first-quarter inflation data, due in late April, before making a decision. “Every meeting is live,” Bullock said, referring to the March 17 board meeting, adding that policymakers would assess whether they need to move more quickly. Markets have largely assumed the central bank would hold off until the first-quarter CPI report on April 29 and potentially act at the May 5 meeting. Bullock, however, said she wanted to “dissuade” markets from relying on that assumption, signaling flexibility and a readiness to tighten policy sooner if needed.
