Families across Lowan are being hit hard by the rising cost of everyday essentials under Labor, with new analysis showing an average regional Victorian family is now paying more than $8000 a year for power, water, council rates and fuel.
Figures from the Australian Energy Regulator and Essential Services Commission highlight a simple reality for people living in country Victoria: many of the costs putting pressure on household budgets are difficult to avoid.
The Nationals Member for Lowan Emma Kealy said many families across the electorate had told her they were having to make every dollar stretch further than ever before.
“Whether I’m talking to people in Horsham, Hamilton, Stawell or our smaller towns, I’m hearing the same thing: household budgets are getting tighter and people are worried about how much more everything costs,” she said.
“Living in the country also means many of these costs aren’t optional. We don’t have a tram at the end of the street to get to work or to take our kids to school and sport, and too often we travel hundreds of kilometres to access basic healthcare.”
Ms Kealy said these pressures extended to local farmers and small businesses, with higher fuel and energy bills increasing the cost of producing food, moving freight and doing business across western Victoria.
At the same time, regional Victorians continue to contend with deteriorating roads and long distances to access healthcare and other essential services.
“Country Victorians are paying more for the basics, but too often we’re getting less in return,” Ms Kealy said.
“We pay the same state taxes as everyone else, yet we’re constantly dodging potholes on our roads and travelling hours for specialist healthcare that people in Melbourne can access much closer to home.
“That’s why The Nationals have committed to a Fair Share Guarantee, ensuring 25 per cent of new state government infrastructure investment goes to regional Victoria.
“It means our fair share for the roads, hospitals, schools and other essential infrastructure our communities desperately need.
“Country Victorians work hard for every dollar. They deserve a government that understands the extra costs of living in regional Victoria and ensures we finally get our fair share.”