No mood for more cost hikes
A WAVE of discontent and frustration is moving through the community, particularly among voters, over the spiralling, almost out of control, cost of living.
All three levels of government are asking us to pay more and more, seemingly for almost everything. The controversial Carbon Tax will force rises across the board from consumerables to services. Effects will be felt from the supermarket shelves, to the petrol pump, down to even buying a beer. Rising costs will not end with the Carbon Tax as a raft of other expenses will rise as we enter this new financial year electricity, water, motorway tolls, health and car insurances.
Unfortunately the one item not going up is disposable income. Families, in particular, are finding the going tough in the current economic climate. While interest rates are offering some relief in the home mortgage belt, rising living costs are placing an enormous strain on family budgets.
Growing discontent is sounding alarm bells for the federal government and Prime Minister Julia Gillard. Her Carbon Tax is not being received well in the community and her popularity in opinion polls is firmly indicating her continued tenure on the top job will be short.
Similarly the Queensland Government is not winning over friends with it flagging rises in electricity costs, tolls and other state services, including cutting the kilowatt rebate to new household solar systems.
These are timely warnings for the Redland City Council, which will bring down its budget next week where rises in rates and services are forecast.
Times are tough for most from small businesses, to wage earners and retirees. The community is not in a mood for more dipping into its dwindling financial resources. All governments should take heed.