A quick glance at the data the RBA eyes most closely suggests the soft landing is still in sight. The unemployment rate is at 4% and the Australian economy is still creating jobs. The most recent monthly inflation indicator reading was 3.6%, labour productivity is not improving, and the cost of hiring (through wage inflation) is continuing to moderate. And while the headline figure is not 2-3%, the disinflation trend is (for the moment) intact. But on the flip side, the central bank may find that it has a big growth problem. Q1 GDP came in at just +0.1% quarter-on-quarter. That is dangerously close to fulfilling ... (full story)