IMF SAYS THE RBA SHOULD MAINTAIN A TIGHTENING BIAS AND BE READY TO HIKE AS NEEDED, WITH INFLATION RISKS REMAINING TILTED TO THE UPSIDE AND UNCERTAINTY OVER WHETHER FINANCIAL CONDITIONS ARE RESTRICTIVE ENOUGH, ADDING THAT FISCAL CONSOLIDATION WOULD BUILD BUFFERS AND AID DISINFLATION.
IMF SAYS ON AUSTRALIA THAT IT SEES GDP GROWTH AT 1.9% IN 2026 AND 1.6% IN 2027, ADDING THAT MAJOR TAX REFORM COULD BOOST GROWTH AND STRENGTHEN PUBLIC FINANCES AND CALLING FOR A MORE AMBITIOUS PRODUCTIVITY REFORM PROGRAMME.