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The Reserve Bank blindsided the nation’s economists, and no doubt disappointed millions of mortgage holders and aspiring homeowners, by keeping interest rates on hold at 3.85% yesterday.
The markets had priced in a more than 90% chance of a 0.25-point rate cut, and all of the “big four” banks had also tipped a cut. Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ frustration was clear when he said it was “not the result millions of Australians were hoping for”.
Reserve Bank Governor Michele Bullock said rates were being held because the bank wants to see more indicators that inflation is still falling. Quarterly inflation figures are due at the end of the month.
Economist Stella Huangfu explains that while inflation pressures have indeed eased, the Reserve Bank is still feeling cautious. Ongoing growth in home prices, coupled with limited housing supply, could make future decisions even less clear-cut.
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Margaret Easterbrook
Business Editor
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Stella Huangfu, University of Sydney
The surprise decision to hold rates isn’t a change in direction – it’s a pause for more information.
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Ali Mamouri, Deakin University
President Trump is talking up a proposed 60-day ceasefire deal in Gaza. But recent history shows a truce is unlikely to lead to lasting peace.
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Kylie Walker, Australian National University
As the US cuts science funding and international cooperation, Australia and other countries see a chance to capitalise on this American brain drain.
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Patrick Dodd, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau
Universities have relied on expert knowledge being scarce, but AI is changing that. Tuition now needs to focus on human skills that machines still struggle to copy.
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Jesse Cale, Griffith University; Benoit Leclerc, Griffith University; Francisco Perales, Griffith University; Tyson Whitten, UNSW Sydney
New research out of Queensland shows there are rehabilitative ways to help reduce youth sexual crime - and youth crime overall.
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Paul Griffin, The University of Queensland
The WHO has classified XFG or ‘Stratus’ as a variant under monitoring. It may well become the dominant variant globally very soon.
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Kitty Smith, University of Sydney
Nymphs offer us more than just stories of sexy nature spirits. They can reveal how ancient people thought about their world and connected with their landscape.
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Pooria Pasbakhsh, The University of Melbourne
Research shows most Australians believe they are good recyclers – but they’re often wrong. Here’s how to avoid common recycling mistakes.
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Politics + Society
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Jennifer Smith-Merry, University of Sydney; Damian Mellifont, University of Sydney; Justin Scanlan, University of Sydney; Nicola Hancock, University of Sydney
Anthony Albanese is calling for a kinder Australia. But new research shows a lack of kindness in the public service is causing distress and even harm to clients.
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Kath O'Brien, Queensland University of Technology
You might hear sports fans yell out to a referee or umpire: ‘I can do better than that!’ But becoming an elite official is a lot harder than most imagine.
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Health + Medicine
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Sarah Diepstraten, WEHI (Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research) ; John (Eddie) La Marca, WEHI (Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research)
Cancer rates are rising among younger people aged under 50. Here’s what we know about the causes – and what the evidence says about the role of plastics.
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Saman Khalesi, CQUniversity Australia; Chris Irwin, Griffith University; Seyed Farhang Jafari, CQUniversity Australia
Not getting enough fibre can lead to constipation, haemorrhoids and boost your risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and bowel cancer.
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Science + Technology
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Sandra Peter, University of Sydney; Kai Riemer, University of Sydney
Being ‘AI fluent’ is quickly becoming as important as being proficient in office software once was.
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Arts + Culture
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Adam Gerace, CQUniversity Australia
A good finale can be a sweet sendoff for viewers after years of investment. A bad one, however, can leave a bitter taste.
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Books + Ideas
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Freya Higgins-Desbiolles, University of South Australia
Anti-tourism protests are erupting around the world, from Mexico City riots to coordinated community protests in Europe. The clash of holidayers and locals is age-old.
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Consider counsellors, for counselling
"I’m just curious as to why your article on boosting mental health services only focussed on the high cost of professionals like psychologists and psychiatrists but didn’t consider counsellors who are trained specifically in counselling, and generally cost far less. They could be a very useful piece of the jigsaw puzzle."
Verity Grace
Women heroes
"What an excellent article by Rebecca McNaught and Jo Longman on the largely unrecognised role of women in disaster recovery. It didn’t make the news (unlike the ’tinny army’), but anyone who was involved in the Northern Rivers flood event of 2022 witnessed the monumental work of women in those first few weeks, and the community support and recovery work that they continue to lead three years later."
Kaylene Henry
Let’s get on with the job
"After decades of ignoring climate change scientists, demonising environmentalists and punishing governments for seeking to act on evidence of the impact of global warming and climate change, now we hear the call for the government to ‘fix’ the predicted devastation communities are faced with. Surely it’s time to put an end to the climate wars and begin to work collaboratively."
Melanie Carter 
We'd love to hear from you. You can email us with your thoughts on our stories and each day we'll publish an edited selection.
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Charles Darwin University
Darwin NT, Australia
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Full Time
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University of Tasmania
Hobart TAS, Australia
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Full Time
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University of Technology, Sydney
Sydney NSW, Australia
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Full Time
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Charles Darwin University
Darwin NT, Australia
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Contract
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