The Libs insinuated that they could control interest rates because to the average apathetic voters, they think this is still the government's role. However when quizzed on this notion, Howard responded by saying that the Liberals were going to set the right economic climate so that the RBA (who really controls interest rates) did not need to lift them. Think about this: the 'right economic climate'. Spending big on election campaigning? Giving huge tax cuts in an election year?