Sep 8, 2026 – 6.17pmReserve Bank of Australia assistant governor Sarah Hunter says a slump in the housing market is hurting the broader economy and will dampen the construction of new homes, but rejected developers’ claims that it was pushing the country into recession.Despite the housing slowdown, Hunter told The Australian Financial Review Property Summit that the RBA board could increase interest rates when it meets later this month, given persistent cost increases.Subscribe to gift this articleGift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber? Fetching latest articles