Australia's central bank ready to do more, coronavirus containment the key

[SYDNEY] Australia's central bank is ready to provide yet more policy stimulus if needed after cutting rates to record lows, a pledge that may be tested given the latest outbreak of coronavirus in the country.

Minutes of the Reserve Bank of Australia's (RBA) Nov 3 policy meeting released on Tuesday showed the bank's Board felt taking interest rates negative was not "sensible" and any further action would involve increased bond purchases.

The Board had decided to cut its main cash rate by 15 basis points to just 0.1 per cent and launch a new bond buying program that would see the bank scoop up A$100 billion of longer-dated debt in six months.

"The focus over the period ahead will be the government bond purchase programme," the minutes showed. "The Board is prepared to do more if necessary."

Much depended on how the country fared in containing the coronavirus, with its relative success so far leading to a better outlook than feared a few months earlier.

However, the November policy meeting came before a fresh outbreak of the virus in the state of South Australia which threatened to chill consumer sentiment and spending.

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The Board emphasised that monetary and fiscal stimulus would be needed for a considerable time and pledged not to raise interest rates for at least three more years.

A significant rise in employment and wages growth would be needed to lift inflation back into the RBA's target bank of 2-3 per cent, a distant prospect given the bank expected the unemployment rate to climb further toward 8 per cent by the end of this year.

The Board also noted that very low interest rates were a global phenomenon that affected exchange rates and asset prices.

RBA Governor Philip Lowe on Monday emphasised that Australia had to lower its rates in line with other developed economies or risk an unwelcome appreciation in the local dollar.

Indeed, he noted that were other major central banks to all cut their rates into negative territory, then the RBA might be forced to follow, no matter how reluctantly.

REUTERS