Stephen Roberts Quotations

If the consumer price data confirm an acceleration in inflation then there's a real risk the bank could tighten as soon as November.

Over recent years it has been subdued import prices that have mostly helped to keep a lid on Australian inflation.

It does take a lot of pressure off the Reserve Bank. It's hard to get persistent inflation without wages pressure, and hard to get wages pressure with employment easing.

It doesn't happen very often. We prosecute to the fullest extent of the law.

We believe a consultative process that involves all firms is an appropriate approach.

The start of a higher import price trend implies higher Australian inflation ahead.

The risk is increasing of renewed build-up of inflation pressure, from energy and wages.

With commodity prices up strongly, and with the likelihood of the resources boom persisting for many months to come, it is hard to see Australia escaping without the need for higher interest rates.

Productivity hasn't met the high hopes held out for it and, as a result, has pretty much dropped off the radar screen for economy watchers.

A lot of plants were designed and built during the 1970s, ... There's a 20- to 25-year design period for those plants. That gets us to 2005, which is why plants such as Allenstown are about where they are.

A lot of plants were designed and built during the 1970s. There's a 20- to 25-year design period for those plants. That gets us to 2005, which is why plants such as Allenstown are about where they are.

They need inflation information before they can move. It was totally as expected, but a few people are starting to look ahead because of the stronger data we've had, speculating whether a rate increase could come as soon as May.