Bullock said the Reserve Bank of Australia has seen signs its rate hikes are
starting to work and reiterated the Monetary Policy Committee will take
necessary steps to meet its mandate. The RBA hiked at all three meetings this
year, lifting the cash rate to 4.35% to curb resurgent inflation. Bullock warned
the Middle East conflict could cause an energy shock and prompt second-round
inflation. He said the housing market is a rapid transmission channel for policy
and has softened, partly reflecting tighter policy. Money markets price a June
pause, about a 50% chance of an August hike and a fully priced-in move by
December.