Australians collectively exhale as inflation slows more than expected

That woosh-like sound on Wednesday morning was the collective sigh of relief as the latest and unexpectedly low inflation data numbers were released – in turn boosting borrowers’ confidence that after 20 months the cycle of rate rises has come to an end. This is almost the last major puzzle piece that the Reserve Bank will get before it decides which way to jump at its February monetary policy meeting. But there was nothing in Wednesday’s November inflation data that would provide an incentive or excuse to raise rates in three weeks. Reserve Bank governor Michele Bullock’s inflation-busting credentials have improved thanks to…