Westpac chief economist Luci Ellis has brought forward her expectation for a Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) rate hike to September, saying the governor's comments satisfied the conditions set at the August meeting for further tightening. She acknowledged tactical reasons to delay — August monthly CPI due next day, easing Middle East tensions, potential fuel excise adjustments or a weak jobs print could complicate timing — but judged hawkish signals to carry greater weight. Westpac expects a div

Westpac chief economist Luci Ellis has brought forward her expectation for a Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) rate hike to September, saying the governor's comments satisfied the conditions set at the August meeting for further tightening. She acknowledged tactical reasons to delay — August monthly CPI due next day, easing Middle East tensions, potential fuel excise adjustments or a weak jobs print could complicate timing — but judged hawkish signals to carry greater weight. Westpac expects a divided vote at the RBA as members differ on trend productivity, labour supply and the degree of labour-market slack; the underemployment rate has risen sharply.