RBA has few words on Greece, rates steady

Reserve Bank governor Glenn Stevens has offered few words on the Greek situation while keeping the cash rate at a record-low two per cent.

Reserve Bank of Australia governor Glenn Stevens.

The Reserve Bank is widely expected to leave the cash rate unchanged at a record low two per cent. (AAP)

Prime Minister Tony Abbott won't be offering a running commentary on the Greek crisis and it would appear even Reserve Bank governor Glenn Stevens feels brevity is the best way to handle the situation.

After Tuesday's monthly board meeting, Mr Stevens noted market fluctuations associated with developments in both Greece and China, the latter having taken measures in recent days to prop up its shaky stock market. And he left it at that.

It wasn't about to force any drastic action by the RBA, leaving the cash rate at a record low of two per cent.

Global uncertainty has seen the Australian dollar drop to a six-year low below 75 US cents, but Mr Stevens in his post-meeting statement still believes it should fall further against other currencies given significant declines in commodity prices.

Local share prices bounced back after Monday's initial fall in response to Sunday's Greek referendum voting "no" to severe austerity measures.

But Australian consumers are clearly worried that events in Greece and China will flow through to the Australian economy.

The ANZ-Roy Morgan consumer confidence index fell 4.6 per cent in the past week, eroding most of the gains made since the May budget.

Acting Treasurer Bruce Billson said the next few days would be "very significant" as Greece and eurozone finance ministers try to thrash out a bailout solution.

Finance ministers later on Tuesday will be urging the Greek authorities to devise a new plan that appeases lenders and allows a renewed supply of funding to the Greek economy.

"Now what needs to happen is a clear definition of what's next," Mr Billson told ABC radio.

Mr Billson also believes Chinese authorities have intervened to stop a shares slump in a "confident and bold way".

The prime minister was less forthcoming, saying it was his job to build a strong and prosperous Australia, rather than offering day-to-day commentary on what Greece and China should be doing.

Shadow treasurer Chris Bowen believes Mr Abbott has made a "strategic error" by allowing his two senior economic ministers to be away when the global economy is dealing with the Greek crisis.

Treasurer Joe Hockey is on holiday, while Finance Minister Mathias Cormann is leading a trade delegation in Europe, leaving Mr Billson, the small business minister, to run the show.

"Frankly at this time I think Australia could have done better," Mr Bowen told reporters in Darwin.


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Source: AAP


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