Thursday, August 24, 2023

Issue:

Mackay and Whitsunday Life

The Squeeze Gets Tighter (Editor's Note)

From that heading, you may think I’m referring to my waistband.

To be fair, coming into my final month of pregnancy, you’d be right.

However, in this case, I’m referring to the squeeze or pinch many families are feeling in our region as the cost of living continues to rise at a rapid rate.

With prices increasing for everything from food and housing to education and healthcare, many families are finding it increasingly difficult to make ends meet. Federal Member for Dawson, Andrew Willcox, addresses the rising costs of food in his article on page 4.

One of the biggest challenges facing families is the rising cost of housing. In many cases, the cost of rent or mortgage payments is getting so high that even families with two incomes are struggling to keep up. This has led to a rise in homelessness, as well as an increase in the number of families who are forced to live in overcrowded or substandard housing.

The RBA's decision to constantly raise interest rates has far-reaching implications for the Australian economy, and for ordinary Australians. The higher rates will make it more expensive to borrow money, which could make it more difficult for some people to buy homes or start businesses. Rental prices will also continue to climb as investors try to recoup the large losses due to interest, which will hit the vulnerable members of the community hardest. At the same time, higher rates could make saving more attractive, and could lead to increased investment in the economy.

Many financial experts are now saying that the RBA’s aggressiveness has hit Australians too hard, too fast, too soon. It's crucial that policymakers remain flexible and responsive to changing economic conditions and are willing to step in before the homelessness gets out of control. I know personally I’ve found the additional $900 / month increase in interest on my mortgage in the past 6 months a bitter pill to swallow. When wages don’t increase to combat inflation, it leaves the economy in a precarious position.

Do you have an opinion on what the Federal Government should be doing to combat the cost of living or rising interest rates? Send your letter to the editor to amanda@mackayandwhitsundaylife.com.

Amanda

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