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Chalmers Warns RBA Could Lift Rates to 4.6%

By Drooid · Sep 16, 2026, 6:34 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Treasurer Jim Chalmers warned Labor MPs the Reserve Bank could lift rates to 4.6% on September 29.
He said Australia’s debt burden is lower than every major advanced economy.
Backbenchers such as Ed Husic said speaking out is punished and called for serious tax reform and reduced regulation.
UNSW professor Richard Holden noted Labor’s modest reforms may not boost productivity despite a $10 billion regulatory-cost cut package.

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Story summary

Treasurer Jim Chalmers warned Labor MPs the Reserve Bank could lift rates to 4.6% on September 29.
He said Australia’s debt burden is lower than every major advanced economy.
Backbenchers such as Ed Husic said speaking out is punished and called for serious tax reform and reduced regulation.
UNSW professor Richard Holden noted Labor’s modest reforms may not boost productivity despite a $10 billion regulatory-cost cut package.