Former Reserve Bank economist suggests Greens push for interest rate freeze is nonsensical

Former Reserve Bank economist Dr Zac Gross says ‘freezing interest rates would inevitably lead to higher rates of inflation [and] higher prices at the supermarket’. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/EPA

A call by the federal Greens for an interest rate freeze could push consumer prices higher and hurt savers and renters, an expert has warned.

Economist Dr Zac Gross issued the warning after the Greens economic justice spokesman, Nick McKim, called on the Reserve Bank to “hit pause” on cash rate rises until the October budget to pressure the government to “rein in corporate profiteering”.