Posted October 14, 2018 06:38:57 The Australian dollar has been at a record low against the US dollar, hitting a record-low of 66.5 cents US on Monday, just a week after the US central bank raised interest rates for the first time in four years.
The Australian currency is now at a six-month low against its US counterpart, a sharp reversal from the record low of 76 cents US at the start of the year.
The lower dollar is helping to keep interest rates low and driving the Australian economy to a record high, with the unemployment rate hovering at 12.5 per cent, the lowest it’s been since 2010.
“Australia’s economy has seen a record level of investment, which is helping our economy to grow and prosper,” Treasurer Scott Morrison said on Monday.
“The Australian dollar is still well above its US equivalent, but is in fact at its lowest since the US government started to raise interest rates in March 2016.”
He said the dollar was in a stronger position than the dollar in international trade, where the Australian has become increasingly valuable.
“We’re seeing a bit of a resurgence in Australian exports and we’re seeing an increasing amount of Australian companies investing in the United States,” Mr Morrison said.
“So, it’s a very strong economic and financial situation for Australia and I think that will continue to be supported by the dollar.” “
The Federal Government has been trying to sell its currency in Australia, with its official rate of 4.25 per cent currently set to be scrapped in 2018. “
So, it’s a very strong economic and financial situation for Australia and I think that will continue to be supported by the dollar.”
The Federal Government has been trying to sell its currency in Australia, with its official rate of 4.25 per cent currently set to be scrapped in 2018.
In the meantime, the Reserve Bank of Australia has been pushing for a more gradual rate hike, but the Reserve’s inflation target remains unchanged at 1.8 per cent.
The Reserve Bank has also warned the Government it will need to raise the rate in the next quarter.
But the Reserve said the Government’s decision to scrap the rate hike would be detrimental to the economy.
“It will be detrimental not only to the Australian economic outlook but also to the broader global outlook,” the bank said in a statement.
“With our policy easing measures currently in place, we have been able to manage a relatively weak economy for the most part, but it is very likely that this will continue for some time to come.”