The Bottom Line
Updated Friday 6 November 2026
The RBA lifted the cash rate to 4.85 per cent on 4 November, the fifth rise this year, up 1.25 points from 3.60 per cent at the start of 2026. RBA governor Michele Bullock said the move was aimed at tackling persistent inflation, according to ABC News. MacroBusiness reports the board voted 6-3, describing it as a split decision and a shift toward a more dovish balance. market pricing
RBA deputy governor Andrew Hauser, speaking at the ANU, conceded that Australians' trust in the Reserve Bank's near-term ability to bring inflation down has fallen materially, according to ABC News. MacroBusiness reports the RBA's November Statement of Monetary Policy raised its unemployment forecast and revised its NAIRU estimate upward, citing persistently elevated unit labour cost growth. ABS figures show the unemployment rate was 4.72 per cent in September 2026, up from 4.08 per cent in January, though the monthly path has included several dips. private wages
David Jones was placed in voluntary administration and receivership after rent negotiations with landlord Westfield collapsed, according to ABC News. ACCI chief executive Andrew McKellar said costs are rising faster than Australian retailers can absorb them and that rising interest rates will make this worse. Anglicare Australia's 2026 Rental Affordability Snapshot found that essential workers including retail workers, social workers and cleaners can afford very few of the rental listings surveyed nationally, according to ABC News. rent inflation housing repayments
The Treasurer co-chaired the sixth Australia-China Strategic Economic Dialogue, describing China as Australia's biggest trading partner and noting the dialogue has now been held for three consecutive years, a first for the forum. Assistant Minister Andrew Leigh announced a new Statement of Expectations for the Australian Financial Security Authority, directing it to reduce administrative burdens and support productivity. sixth Strategic Economic Dialogue financial security regulator
Every figure is checked against official data or attributed to the body that announced it. Past editions