Australia keeps rates on hold amid home building bonanza

Sydney

AUSTRALIA'S central bank left interest rates at 1.5 per cent on Tuesday as it weighs the effect of past easing and the biggest-ever boom in apartment building helps underpin economic activity and jobs growth.

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) surprised no one with its decision. All 57 economists polled by Reuters had expected no change this week after cuts in August and May.