Michele Bullock
Michele Bullock | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth year and age Melbourne, Australia |
| Occupation(s) | Economist, central banker |
| Years active | 1984–present |
| Known for | Governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia |
Michele Bullock (born 1962 or 1963) is an Australian economist currently serving as the governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA). She began her tenure on 18 September 2023, becoming the first woman to occupy this role.
Early life, personal life and education
Bullock was born in Melbourne and relocated to Armidale, New South Wales at the age of nine, where she attended Armidale High School. Initially admitted to study medicine at the University of New South Wales, she later transitioned to economics. She graduated with a Bachelor of Economics with honours from the University of New England in 1984. Subsequently, she earned a Master of Science degree from the London School of Economics in 1989.
She is a mother of two children.
Career
While completing her honours year at UNE, Bullock undertook an internship at the RBA, which led to her joining the institution permanently. Over her career at the bank, she has held several key positions including assistant governor responsible for currency from 2010 to 2015, business services from 2015 to 2016, and the financial system from 2016 until 2022. In April 2022, she was promoted to deputy governor, succeeding Guy Debelle, marking the first time a woman held that post.
On 14 July 2023, Bullock was named as the successor to Philip Lowe as governor of the RBA, assuming office on 18 September. She is the ninth individual and first female to lead the bank. Bullock described stepping into this role as occurring during "a challenging time," particularly in light of extensive "wholesale reforms" recommended by a recent public review into RBA operations. These changes will require her to increase media engagement significantly, including conducting no fewer than eight press conferences annually compared to Lowe’s four over seven years.
Her appointment drew varied responses: economist Nicki Hutley commended her as "an exceptional economist" with strong qualifications, whereas Peter Tulip, chief economist at the Centre for Independent Studies, voiced reservations that Bullock’s lengthy career within the RBA might not fully support the cultural shifts advocated by the review panel.
External links
- Michele Bullock's profile on the Reserve Bank of Australia website