The Reserve Bank of Australia says its inflation forecasts have been softer than expected in part due to volatility in the fuel market, according to comments attributed to the RBA’s chief economist. Both outlets report that the bank acknowledges its predictions underestimated the extent to which fuel-price movements affected overall inflation outcomes. The RBA attributes the difference between earlier expectations and the data to swings in fuel costs, which can make short-term inflation readings more variable than underlying trends. The reports frame the admission as a reassessment of forecast performance, indicating the bank is taking into account that fuel-market volatility can distort estimates of inflation during the period when projections are made. While the outlets focus on the same point, they provide limited additional detail on the size of the forecast deviation or the specific time period involved. Overall, the story centers on the RBA’s recognition that fuel-related volatility contributed to inflation projections coming in lower than expected.