The transmission mechanism describes the process of how changes in interest rates work to slow inflation and regulate economic activity. for example, higher interst rates slow demand inflation and economic activity in three main ways:
1. the spending effect - higher interest rates slow inflation by lowering spending (AD) and increasing saving. as a result, both C and I are deferred. this slows AD and economic activity, removes shortages of goods and services, and hence reduced demand inflation.
2. the exchange rate effect - higher interest rates tend to slow inflation by discouraging spending on imports, thereby causing an appreciation in the exchange rate. this makes the cost of producing imports locally cheaper, as imported components are now cheaper because of the favourable or high exchange rate of the $AUD.
3. the effect on inflationary expectations - higher interest rates can reduce inflationary expectations. they can signal to savers, borrowers and investors that the RBA is serious and will ease inflation. it affects peoples perceptions before they take necessary action to protect their real incomes from the effects of rising prices, and before there is speculation in assets. the RBA's transparency in monetary policy is also a factor that reduces inflationary expectations, as it is widely known about, reported on during news on tv and radio, features prominently in the papers and in RBA statements each month, which inform the people of what the RBA plans to do, before they can make assumptions and take action (for example asking for wage rises not meeting inflation rate = more inflation)