There was an outstanding piece from John Authers this week arguing that the Age of Credibility for Central Banks Is Over as inflation blunders have destroyed the trust that’s anchored the global financial system since the end of the gold standard.
Certainly, in Australia, the RBA has been on shaky ground for many years, including over forecasting wages growth, taking interest rates too low, and relying on household wealth to be artificially inflated by poor policy for years. But the shocking reversal from last November’s no rate rises til 2024, to today’s 1.35% target cash rate, with more to come, shows just how far from credible they are – despite politicians still talking about mountains of respect. Over in New Zealand they are further up the curve, but the issues are the same. Central Bank credibility is shot.
It appears that the most likely anchor to replace central bank credibility is confidence in governments. But that is not a comforting thought.
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