Australia news live: retailers plead with RBA for interest rates relief before Christmas

National Retail Association says sector is struggling and business owners need ‘every win they can’. Follow today’s news live

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Stronger consumer spending should not be an excuse for the Reserve Bank to potentially lift interest rates ahead of Christmas, retail bodies have warned.

Australian Associated Press reports that Australian Retailers Association chief executive Paul Zahra said the Reserve Bank needs to offer a rate cut when it meets to discuss interest rates on 5 November.