Both on the health and economic fronts, Australia has faced up to the enormous challenge posed by the pandemic. And as a nation, we have been up to that task. Much of the unexpected strength of the recovery stems from Australia's relatively good health outcomes. Good control of the virus allowed a rapid and near-complete opening of the domestic economy.
Always an important event in the calendar, the potential usefulness of this year’s pre-budget conference, at which options and strategies can be discussed among experts in a very practical way, hardly needs emphasis. So I am glad that it is here that I can make my first public address as Governor of the Central Bank.