RBA deputy governor Kent said a review of alternative monetary tools leaves the central bank better able to respond to future shocks. He said the cash rate target remains the primary instrument, while other tools can provide additional support in exceptional periods but are more complex and carry greater risks. Kent referenced the MPC’s newly released framework for supplementary tools in a low-rate environment and said the Committee may be less tolerant of inflation undershooting the 2%–3% targe

RBA deputy governor Kent said a review of alternative monetary tools leaves the central bank better able to respond to future shocks. He said the cash rate target remains the primary instrument, while other tools can provide additional support in exceptional periods but are more complex and carry greater risks. Kent referenced the MPC’s newly released framework for supplementary tools in a low-rate environment and said the Committee may be less tolerant of inflation undershooting the 2%–3% target range when rates are low. He added that, in that scenario, the bank could consider lowering the cash rate target earlier and more decisively to counter deflationary shocks.