Last week, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) made a significant shift in monetary policy, announcing a 25-basis point increase to the official cash rate — lifting it from 3.60% to 3.85% . This move marks the first-interest rate hike in more than two years , ending a period where the RBA had cut or maintained rates in an effort to support the economy following elevated inflation and a slowing global environment. Why the Increase? The RBA’s Monetary Policy Board cited risin