so the RBA is taking a glass half full on this.
The RBA board noted that "subdued labour costs had led to low household income growth." So less money coming in and less money going out.

KIM LANDERS: So could there be an upside here, though? I'm thinking perhaps businesses are doing well if wage growth has been so low?

PETER RYAN: Yeah so the RBA is taking a glass half full on this. That flat-lining wages growth has enabled business to boost employment "by more than they might have been able to otherwise".
how to understand " so the RBA is taking a glass half full on this."? and what's the meaning of "otherwise" here? thank you

Question

so the RBA is taking a glass half full on this.
The RBA board noted that "subdued labour costs had led to low household income growth." So less money coming in and less money going out.

KIM LANDERS: So could there be an upside here, though? I'm thinking perhaps businesses are doing well if wage growth has been so low?

PETER RYAN: Yeah so the RBA is taking a glass half full on this. That flat-lining wages growth has enabled business to boost employment "by more than they might have been able to otherwise".
how to understand " so the RBA is taking a glass half full on this."? and what's the meaning of "otherwise" here? thank you

Answer

Hi Scarlett,
Otherwise,  in this sentence,  can be read as 'if they hadn't done this '.
'Glass half full ' means to see only good opportunity in a situation. (The opposite is 'glass half empty ' which is to see only bad things).

Answer

The "glass half full" phrase refers to the question, "Is the glass half-full or half-empty?" (=Are you an optimist or a pessimist?)

"Otherwise" means if they tried something else.