The cost of living is the number one issue for Australians, as regional Victorians only too well.
When Labor came to government it promised it had all the answers to the cost of living crisis. But as we’ve seen, Anthony Albanese and his government have no plan to tackle inflation and no plan to lower the cost of living.
The Coalition is committed to helping people living in regional Victoria who are suffering under Labor’s cost of living crisis. That is why we voted to establish the Select Committee on the Cost of Living to inquire into, and report on, the causes of cost of living pressures, how they are impacting Australians and develop sensible solutions to address this crisis.
The Committee has already held hearings looking into cost of living drivers like energy prices, mortgage rates, and grocery prices. We will continue to travel around the country to listen to the stories of everyday Australians to understand cost of living pressures and come up with constructive solutions.
If there is one message which can be taken from the evidence that’s been provided to the Committee so far, it’s that higher prices and higher mortgages are leaving more families struggling to put food on the table.
As part of its process, the Committee has established an online survey which makes it quick and easy for people to make a submission. The Opposition encourages anyone who is willing to share their story with the Committee to make a submission via the survey, which can be accessed by visiting yourcostofliving.au.
Senator Sarah Henderson said that the cost of living crisis is being acutely felt by residents across Victoria.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re at the grocery checkout, paying your energy bills or your mortgage, everyone is feeling the pinch right now,’ Senator Henderson said.
“Anthony Albanese promised Australians would be better off under Labor, but this is not the experience of families and small business owners in the Corio, Corangamite, Ballarat, Bendigo, Hawke and Indi federal electorates,” Senator Henderson said.
“Labor has no plan to address the cost of living or to lower inflation. The Coalition will continue to fight for the issues which matter to ordinary Australians, like the cost of living, and hold Labor to account for the promises it made before the last election,” Senator Henderson concluded.