Australia central bank holds rates at 2.5 pct

SYDNEY, March 4 (Reuters) - Australia's central bank kept its cash rate steady at a record low of 2.5 percent on Tuesday, a widely expected decision given evidence past policy cuts were working to stimulate the economy as desired.

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) made the announcement following its monthly policy meeting. All 19 analysts in a Reuters poll had felt the RBA would hold rates this week

AU/INT .

(Reporting by Wayne Cole; Editing by Lincoln Feast)

((Wayne.Cole@thomsonreuters.com)(612 9373 1813)(Reuters Messaging: wayne.cole.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))

Keywords: AUSTRALIA ECONOMY/RATES