The release of a report this week, tabling the huge increase in the number of Australians living below the poverty line since the Howard Government has been in office, has prompted a response from Steve Fielding, the Family First Senator for Victoria.
"Talking to people on the street in suburban and regional areas, they are really struggling with skyrocketing grocery, petrol and electricity prices," the Senator said.
Mr Fielding’s media release states that living costs in Australia are rising 50 percent faster than the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
His campaign is to ‘reduce the cost of living for families.’ But how about just reducing the cost of living for everybody, family or not? Buying petrol won’t be any cheaper just because you are single or live in a situation that doesn’t include a family.
There has been a $180 increase (22 per cent) in the average annual cost of electricity since 2000, according to analysis of the electricity component of the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
In Melbourne, people are paying $140 more (up by 16 per cent) in 2006-07 than in 2000-01, in Sydney it’s an increase of $236 (up 30 per cent).
Electricity costs in Brisbane have risen by $186 (up 22 per cent), in Adelaide it’s $250 more (up 33 per cent).
Hobart residents pay $143 more (up 16 per cent), Canberra $216 more (up 27 per cent), while Darwin and Perth prices were steady.
"Family First has an action plan to reduce the cost of living by cutting petrol tax by 10 cents a litre, stopping exorbitant bank penalty fees and creating real competition to keep grocery prices low by outlawing predatory pricing."