RBA’s Harper strengthens rate hike outlook - WSJ

Following are the headlines from RBA board member Ian Harper, from an interview with the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) published late-Thursday.

Harper said he was upbeat about recent growth in fulltime employment and a rise in hours worked across the economy

"These latest figures [for March] are an encouraging sign that maybe the weakness in the labour market is beginning to turn"

Mr. Harper said the increased focus on employment was linked directly to concerns that softness in the job market could stymie already record low wages growth, and hold back rises in inflation

"While the labour market is weak, wages growth will be low, and while wages growth is low you can't expect to see much of a pick-up in inflation"