SYDNEY (Reuters) -Australia’s top central banker said on Thursday a measured and gradual approach to monetary policy easing was appropriate as the labour market had only eased slightly, shrugging off concerns about a recent jump in the unemployment rate.

Speaking on inflation and employment, Reserve Bank of Australia Governor Michele Bullock said a rise in the jobless rate to 4.3% in June from 4.1% was not a “shock”, adding that the labour market was slowing in line with forecasts.

“Other measures – such as the vacancy rate – have been stable recently. More broadly, leading indicators are not pointing to further significant increases in the unemployment rate in the near term,” Bullock said.

Bullock said much of the rebalancing in the labour market over recent years has occurred in decli

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