Federal budget looms as RBA satisfied with OCR at 2.5 per cent

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) kept the official cash rate (OCR) on hold – at 2.5 per cent – at its monetary policy committee (MPC) meeting on May 6, to the unanimous expectation of analysts and markets alike. Some analysts say that, as the final rate decision ahead of the 2014-15 federal budget on May 13, the May RBA statement – and decision – implies a central bank that is as satisfied as it can be with the level of policy.