<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>This afternoon, the Reserve Bank did something it had never done before.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>And no, it wasn't disappointing millions of borrowers by keeping interest rates on hold at 3.85 per cent in a call that shocked financial markets.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>For the first time, it revealed how many board members voted in favour of the decision, and how many voted against – a far cry from Governor Michele Bullock routinely being asked after each meeting whether a call was unanimous or not.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/reserve-bank-of-australia-july-interest-rate-decision/6082c3d9-4eb8-4b91-98a4-6c0b6c574f69"><strong><span>'Soul-crushing': RBA leaves interest rates on hold in surprise decision</span></strong></a><strong><span></span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>In today's case, it was six in favour and three dissenting voices – something Bullock said "demonstrates, I hope, that there was really good active debate in the boardroom about the pros and cons of holding and easing".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Treasurer Jim Chalmers welcomed the change, saying the added transparency around the 6-3 majority decision was a positive development.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Obviously, it will be a source of some interest that the Reserve Bank board was not unanimous on this occasion, that there were different views expressed around the boardroom table," he told reporters.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/reserve-bank-interest-rate-decision-votes-released/e46423d1-e6f9-44de-b4e7-d11deaace2ba" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/erin-patterson-mushroom-poisoning-trial-verdict-update/931c6e69-9054-4bed-ab50-0af86c3e52d9"><strong><span>Footage shows mushroom killer buy snacks at petrol station after poisonings</span></strong></a><strong><span></span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We know that because of the publication of these unattributed votes.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I think that transparency is a welcome change, and I'm grateful to the Reserve Bank and particularly to [Bullock] for the role that she has played in making sure that those decisions are more transparent."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>In her press conference following her board's decision, Bullock said she wouldn't reveal which way she – or anyone else – voted.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"They're unattributed votes ... they are unattributed for a reason," she says.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"And so the answer to that is no, I won't tell you how I voted."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>She said publishing the votes would "stifle free and frank debate", and Chalmers agreed the new policy struck the right balance.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/radio-host-michael-christian-sues-southern-cross-austero-for-2012-royal-baby-prank/275f5845-e754-4ec0-b876-def26f492ce1"><strong><span>Former radio host sues broadcaster over infamous 2012 royal prank</span></strong></a><strong><span></span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"This is an appropriate level of transparency," he said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"It's certainly much more transparency than we've seen ... and so I think a very big step in the right direction.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We want to make sure that people can participate in these Reserve Bank meetings openly, and that the public knows whether the decision was taken unanimously or otherwise."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/how-to-follow-9news-digital/29855bb1-ad3d-4c38-bc25-3cb52af1216f" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP</span></em></strong></a><strong><em><span>:</span></em></strong><span> </span><em><strong><span>Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. 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