Meet Michele Bullock, the new RBA Governor
The Reserve Bank of Australia – the organisation in charge of Australia’s monetary policy – has had a new change in leadership. Former RBA governor Philip Lowe has been replaced by long-time deputy governor Michele Bullock, who assumed the role on 18 September 2023. She is the first woman to become governor of the RBA.
The RBA governor leads interest rate meetings with the other RBA board members, among many other duties. These critical decisions affect Australian monetary policy, particularly the cash rate, which has knock-on effects for home loans, savings accounts, and term deposits.
Bullock’s term as governor will also oversee the implementation of a host of RBA reforms, including press conferences eight times a year and a reduced number of cash rate decisions.
So who is the new governor of the RBA, Michele Bullock? And what can Aussies expect from her term as RBA governor?
Who is Michele Bullock?
Michele Bullock is an Australian economist and public servant. She has worked in various positions at the Reserve Bank of Australia since 1985.
Bullock is the ninth and current governor of the RBA after completing a stint as the first female deputy governor of the RBA.
Her term as RBA governor lasts until 17 September 2030 unless renewed by the Australian Treasurer.
She also chairs the Reserve Bank Board (the governing body in charge of the cash rate), the Payments System Board, and the Council of Financial Regulators.
Where did Michele Bullock go to school?
Michele Bullock has a master's degree from the London School of Economics (1989) and a bachelor's with honours from the University of New England (1984).
During her honours year at UNE, she interned at the RBA before accepting a full-time position. Since then, she has continuously worked for the RBA.
Where did Michele Bullock grow up?
Michele Bullock was born in Melbourne. During her childhood, she moved to Armidale, NSW and attended Armidale High School.
How will Michele Bullock’s appointment affect the RBA – and Aussies?
Michele Bullock is likely to become a familiar face fast to Australians. One of the many new changes to be implemented during her first year as RBA governor is that she will host eight press conferences throughout 2024, one after each cash rate decision. Her predecessor, Philip Lowe, only had to host four press conferences in his seven-year term as governor.
This reform is designed to bring greater public awareness (and accountability) to the RBA governor and board members after each monetary policy meeting. The RBA has been criticised for mishandling how it informs Aussies about cash rate decisions and their impacts on households, so this measure is designed to keep the central bank in step with expectations.
“We’re taking really important decisions on behalf of the country. They can be unpopular. They affect the distribution of income, so they’re really important decisions,” explained former governor Lowe in an Anika Foundation roundtable on 7 September.
“And, given that, I think we need to be as accountable as we can and explain our decisions as clearly as we can and the reasons why we’re taking those decisions and the trade-offs we’re managing.”
Indeed, this rate cycle has been one of the most heavily publicised in recent years. At a time when households face a cost of living and interest rate crunch, what the RBA governor does and who they are matters more than ever.
Bullock has been praised for her sterling work as an economist, but given the public appetite for change at the RBA, her appointment as governor has also drawn criticism. Can someone who’s worked at the RBA for nearly 40 years bring the fresh mindset necessary to update the RBA and handle a complicated economic time?
Bullock says she’s up to the challenge, stating after her appointment as governor, “It is a challenging time to be coming into this role, but I will be supported by a strong executive team and boards. I am committed to ensuring that the Reserve Bank delivers on its policy and operational objectives for the benefit of the Australian people.”
‘Delivers on RBA objectives’ may be the operating phrase. Mozo banking expert Peter Marshall says Bullock may make slight pivots from Lowe’s way of running things, but the overall arc of the RBA is the same. How and when they inform the public of interest rate decisions – like the first potential cash rate cut in September 2024 – doesn’t affect how they make them.
“The RBA will still make its decisions based on the views of a group of people,” says Marshall. “It’ll be a slightly different group of people, so we may get some different decisions, but it’s not going to see an abrupt, ‘Oh, no, we’ve been doing the wrong thing all these years.’”
Keeping the ship steady isn’t something to dismiss, though. If the RBA mistimes an interest rate decision, it can prolong the pain of inflation or veer Australia into a recession. When to hike, hold, and cut the cash rate must be calculated carefully.
It’s a narrow path to walk, and Bullock has stayed with the RBA through several crises, from the pandemic to rapid inflation to a cost of living crisis. The new governor has the potential to marry experience with innovation if she sees a way to do it.
However, the ties that bound Philip Lowe’s hands will still be hers to inherit. The cash rate is a blunt tool, and monetary policy isn’t the same as fiscal, government, or even housing reform. There is only so much Bullock can do to meet the RBA’s primary objective: ensure the welfare of Australians.
So while a new leader controls the helm, the ship will likely stay the course for now. Home loan borrowers can expect to do the same.
Compare low interest rate home loans in the table below.
Home loan comparisons on Mozo
Promoted
-
Fixed Home Loan
- Owner Occupier
- Principal and Interest
- Interest rate
-
5.54
%
p.a.
Fixed 2 years
- Comparison rate
-
5.93
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$2,852
Competitive fixed rate on up to a 30 year loan term. No application fees to pay. Additional repayments up to $20,000 per year without penalty. Free online redraw. Optional 100% offset feature ($10/month) 10% minimum deposit. Fees & charges apply, Australian Credit Licence 237879 is held by Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited, the credit provider.
- Interest rate
-
5.54
%
p.a.
Fixed 2 years
- Comparison rate
-
5.93
%
p.a.
- Upfront fees
-
$495
- Ongoing fees
-
$0.00
- Discharge fee
-
$325.00
- Extra repayments
-
- Redraw facility
-
yes - free
- Offset account
-
yes- optional with $10/month
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 90.00%
- Minimum borrowing amount
- $50,000
- Maximum borrowing amount
- $3,000,000
- Type of mortgage
- Fixed
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- -
- Special offers
- -
Read reviews and learn more about NRMA Insurance home loans
Go to site -
Unloan Variable
- Owner Occupier
- LVR <80%
- Interest rate
-
5.99
%
p.a.
Variable
- Comparison rate
-
5.90
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$2,995
Built by CommBank, the Unloan is the first home loan with an increasing discount (conditions apply) for borrowers. No application or banking fees. No monthly account keeping or early exit fees. Apply online in minutes.
- Interest rate
-
5.99
%
p.a.
Variable
- Comparison rate
-
5.90
%
p.a.
- Upfront fees
-
$0
- Ongoing fees
-
$0.00
- Discharge fee
-
$0.00
- Extra repayments
-
yes - free
- Redraw facility
-
yes - free
- Offset account
-
no
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 80.00%
- Minimum borrowing amount
- $10,000
- Maximum borrowing amount
- $10,000,000
- Type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special offers
- -
Read reviews and learn more about Unloan home loans
Go to site
-
Fixed Home Loan
- Owner Occupier
- Principal and Interest
- Interest rate
-
5.54
%
p.a.
Fixed 2 years
- Comparison rate
-
5.93
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$2,852
Competitive fixed rate on up to a 30 year loan term. No application fees to pay. Additional repayments up to $20,000 per year without penalty. Free online redraw. Optional 100% offset feature ($10/month) 10% minimum deposit. Fees & charges apply, Australian Credit Licence 237879 is held by Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited, the credit provider.
- Interest rate
-
5.54
%
p.a.
Fixed 2 years
- Comparison rate
-
5.93
%
p.a.
- Upfront fees
-
$495
- Ongoing fees
-
$0.00
- Discharge fee
-
$325.00
- Extra repayments
-
- Redraw facility
-
yes - free
- Offset account
-
yes- optional with $10/month
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 90.00%
- Minimum borrowing amount
- $50,000
- Maximum borrowing amount
- $3,000,000
- Type of mortgage
- Fixed
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- -
- Special offers
- -
Read reviews and learn more about NRMA Insurance home loans
Go to site -
Fixed Rate Home Loan
- Owner Occupier
- Principal & Interest
- LVR <60%
- Interest rate
-
5.59
%
p.a.
Fixed 5 years
- Comparison rate
-
6.27
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$2,867
Get repayment certainty with HSBC’s low 2 Year Fixed Rate Home Loan. Make up to $10,000 of extra repayments a year. The option to split your home loan between fixed and variable. Plus, score $3,288 cashback when you refinance an existing home loan of $250,000. Must apply by 28 February 2023 and settle by 30 April 2023.
- Interest rate
-
5.59
%
p.a.
Fixed 5 years
- Comparison rate
-
6.27
%
p.a.
- Upfront fees
-
$0
- Ongoing fees
-
$390.00 yearly
- Discharge fee
-
$300.00
- Extra repayments
-
yes - free up to $10,000 p.a.
- Redraw facility
-
no
- Offset account
-
no
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 60.00%
- Minimum borrowing amount
- $150,000
- Maximum borrowing amount
- $7,500,000
- Type of mortgage
- Fixed
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special offers
- -
Read reviews and learn more about HSBC home loans
-
2-Year Discounted - Simple Home Loan Variable
- Owner-Occupied
- Principal and Interest
- LVR<60%
- Interest rate
-
5.54
%
p.a.
Variable for 24 months and then 5.99% p.a.
- Comparison rate
-
5.90
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$2,988
Enjoy a low variable rate with no application, ongoing or monthly fees to pay. Access your money via internet banking at any time with free redraws. Make additional repayments at any time. Available for owner occupied, investment and interest only repayments.
- Interest rate
-
5.54
%
p.a.
Variable for 24 months and then 5.99% p.a.
- Comparison rate
-
5.90
%
p.a.
- Upfront fees
-
$0
- Ongoing fees
-
$0.00
- Discharge fee
-
$175.00
- Extra repayments
-
yes - free
- Redraw facility
-
yes - free
- Offset account
-
no
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 60.00%
- Minimum borrowing amount
- $150,000
- Maximum borrowing amount
- $2,000,000
- Type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special offers
- -
Read reviews and learn more about First Option Bank home loans
Go to site -
Variable Home Loan
- Owner Occupier
- Principal and Interest
- Interest rate
-
5.98
%
p.a.
Variable
- Comparison rate
-
6.02
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$2,991
Competitive variable rate on up to a 30 year loan term. No application fees to pay. Unlimited additional repayments. Free online redraw. Optional 100% offset feature ($10/month) 10% minimum deposit. Fees & charges apply, Australian Credit Licence 237879 is held by Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited, the credit provider.
- Interest rate
-
5.98
%
p.a.
Variable
- Comparison rate
-
6.02
%
p.a.
- Upfront fees
-
$495
- Ongoing fees
-
$0.00
- Discharge fee
-
$325.00
- Extra repayments
-
- Redraw facility
-
yes - free
- Offset account
-
yes- optional with $10/month
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 90.00%
- Minimum borrowing amount
- $50,000
- Maximum borrowing amount
- $3,000,000
- Type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- -
- Special offers
- -
Read reviews and learn more about NRMA Insurance home loans
Go to site -
Unloan Variable
- Owner Occupier
- LVR <80%
- Interest rate
-
5.99
%
p.a.
Variable
- Comparison rate
-
5.90
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$2,995
Built by CommBank, the Unloan is the first home loan with an increasing discount (conditions apply) for borrowers. No application or banking fees. No monthly account keeping or early exit fees. Apply online in minutes.
- Interest rate
-
5.99
%
p.a.
Variable
- Comparison rate
-
5.90
%
p.a.
- Upfront fees
-
$0
- Ongoing fees
-
$0.00
- Discharge fee
-
$0.00
- Extra repayments
-
yes - free
- Redraw facility
-
yes - free
- Offset account
-
no
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 80.00%
- Minimum borrowing amount
- $10,000
- Maximum borrowing amount
- $10,000,000
- Type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special offers
- -
Read reviews and learn more about Unloan home loans
Go to site -
Discounted Home Value Loan
- Owner Occupier
- Principal & Interest
- LVR <60%
- Interest rate
-
5.99
%
p.a.
Variable
- Comparison rate
-
5.99
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$2,995
Enjoy competitive rates for owner occupiers. Enjoy unlimited free extra repayments. Flexibility to redraw additional payments for free. No ongoing monthly service fee. Receive $3,288 cashback when you refinance an existing home loan. Minimum loan amount of $250,000, settle within 120 days from applying.
- Interest rate
-
5.99
%
p.a.
Variable
- Comparison rate
-
5.99
%
p.a.
- Upfront fees
-
$0
- Ongoing fees
-
$0.00
- Discharge fee
-
$300.00
- Extra repayments
-
yes - free
- Redraw facility
-
yes - free
- Offset account
-
no
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 60.00%
- Minimum borrowing amount
- $50,000
- Maximum borrowing amount
- $15,000,000
- Type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special offers
- -
Read reviews and learn more about HSBC home loans
-
Simple Home Loan Variable
- Owner-Occupied
- Principal and Interest
- LVR<60%
- Interest rate
-
5.99
%
p.a.
Variable
- Comparison rate
-
5.99
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$2,995
Enjoy a low variable rate with no application, ongoing or monthly fees to pay. Access your money via internet banking at any time with free redraws. Make additional repayments at any time. Available for owner occupied, investment and interest only repayments.
- Interest rate
-
5.99
%
p.a.
Variable
- Comparison rate
-
5.99
%
p.a.
- Upfront fees
-
$0
- Ongoing fees
-
$0.00
- Discharge fee
-
$175.00
- Extra repayments
-
yes - free
- Redraw facility
-
yes - free
- Offset account
-
no
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 60.00%
- Minimum borrowing amount
- $150,000
- Maximum borrowing amount
- $3,500,000
- Type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special offers
- -
Read reviews and learn more about First Option Bank home loans
Go to site -
Fixed Rate
- Owner Occupier
- Principal & Interest
- <80% LVR
- Interest rate
-
5.99
%
p.a.
Fixed 3 years
- Comparison rate
-
6.89
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$2,995
Enjoy up to $3000 cashback for eligible first home buyers and $2000 cashback for refinancers on eligible home loans with the ANZ Fixed Rate Home Loan. Get the security of repayment certainty with a competitive locked in rate. No ongoing fees to pay. Offset account on 1-year fixed loans ($10/month fee applies). Interest-only payments allowed.
- Interest rate
-
5.99
%
p.a.
Fixed 3 years
- Comparison rate
-
6.89
%
p.a.
- Upfront fees
-
$160
- Ongoing fees
-
$0.00
- Discharge fee
-
$160.00
- Extra repayments
-
yes - free up to to lesser of 5% of original fixed loan amount, or $5,000 each year
- Redraw facility
-
no
- Offset account
-
Optional - $10 per month - 1 year fixed term only
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 80.00%
- Minimum borrowing amount
- $20,000
- Maximum borrowing amount
- -
- Type of mortgage
- Fixed
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special offers
- $3,000 cashback for eligible First Home Buyers borrowing $250k+, $2,000 cashback when you refinance loans of $250k+, <80% LVR, settle within 180 days for first home buyers, 120 days for refinances. Excludes refinances from ANZ, ANZ Plus and Suncorp.
Read reviews and learn more about ANZ home loans
-
Mortgage Simplifier
- LVR<80%
- Owner Occupier
- Principal & Interest
- Interest rate
-
6.14
%
p.a.
Variable
- Comparison rate
-
6.17
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$3,043
Get a competitive variable rate with ING’s Mortgage Simplifier. Free extra repayments, no monthly or annual fees. Freedom to make free extra repayments or redraws.
- Interest rate
-
6.14
%
p.a.
Variable
- Comparison rate
-
6.17
%
p.a.
- Upfront fees
-
$350
- Ongoing fees
-
$0.00
- Discharge fee
-
$250.00
- Extra repayments
-
yes - free
- Redraw facility
-
yes - free
- Offset account
-
no
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 80.00%
- Minimum borrowing amount
- $150,000
- Maximum borrowing amount
- $2,000,000
- Type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special offers
- -
Read reviews and learn more about ING home loans
-
Elevate
- Owner Occupier
- Principal & Interest
- <80% LVR
- Interest rate
-
6.18
%
p.a.
Variable
- Comparison rate
-
6.18
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$3,056
Get competitive rates on loan terms of 5 to 30 years with the Aussie Elevate Home Loan. Structure your loan with up to five splits. Make additional repayments (T&Cs apply). Offset accounts available. Unlimited redraw using your online banking account. Choose from weekly, fortnightly or monthly payments For loan amounts from $10,000 to $5 million.
- Interest rate
-
6.18
%
p.a.
Variable
- Comparison rate
-
6.18
%
p.a.
- Upfront fees
-
$498
- Ongoing fees
-
$0.00
- Discharge fee
-
$325.00
- Extra repayments
-
yes - free
- Redraw facility
-
yes - free
- Offset account
-
Optional extra - $10 per month
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 80.00%
- Minimum borrowing amount
- $10,000
- Maximum borrowing amount
- $5,000,000
- Type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special offers
- -
Read reviews and learn more about Aussie home loans
Your selected home loans
* WARNING: This comparison rate applies only to the example or examples given. Different amounts and terms will result in different comparison rates. Costs such as redraw fees or early repayment fees, and cost savings such as fee waivers, are not included in the comparison rate but may influence the cost of the loan. The comparison rate displayed is for a secured loan with monthly principal and interest repayments for $150,000 over 25 years.
** Initial monthly repayment figures are estimates only, based on the advertised rate. You can change the loan amount and term in the input boxes at the top of this table. Rates, fees and charges and therefore the total cost of the loan may vary depending on your loan amount, loan term, and credit history. Actual repayments will depend on your individual circumstances and interest rate changes.
^See information about the Mozo Experts Choice Home Loan Awards
Mozo provides general product information. We don't consider your personal objectives, financial situation or needs and we aren't recommending any specific product to you. You should make your own decision after reading the PDS or offer documentation, or seeking independent advice.
While we pride ourselves on covering a wide range of products, we don't cover every product in the market. If you decide to apply for a product through our website, you will be dealing directly with the provider of that product and not with Mozo.