Bridget Archer (Bass, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I join the member for Paterson in welcoming the recent increase in the pension. However, given that this coincides with some of the biggest cost-of-living increases in decades, the increase is negligible. Pensioners in my northern Tasmanian electorate of Bass are feeling the pinch, so the self-congratulation seems a bit premature.

Whether at the supermarket, at the petrol station or turning on the heater—in Tasmania we're running our heaters well into December—there's a shock no matter where you turn, and, for anyone on a fixed income, the challenges are increasing daily. For many on pensions, whether it be an age pension or a disability or carer pension, they're also faced with a sharp increase in rental prices. Rental prices have increased from around five to almost eight per cent across the northern Tasmanian region, including in areas as far out as Scottsdale, which has seen rental prices increase by an average of 7.2 per cent, and in George Town, where I live, which has seen an increase of 5.9 per cent. These are typically areas where people may choose to live due to lower cost of living, but, with rental increases and significantly higher fuel costs, they're left stuck in a situation where it's becoming increasingly difficult to meet the cost of everyday essentials.

When the budget was handed down last month, the first message I received was from a constituent asking me if they were missing something, as they just couldn't see what measures were put in place to assist them through an increasingly difficult financial period. I've also received correspondence from age pensioners who are feeling despondent over the battle that they're facing with rental increases and juggling chronic illness. I have said time and time again that governments, particularly in times of crisis, need to respond to situations as they evolve. I think all sides of politics have the best intentions, but I think that the current government have missed the mark when looking at the response to the current cost-of-living crisis facing so many Australians, particularly pensioners. It's what I'm hearing over and over again when I'm out in the community.

I do want to acknowledge that there's a changing economic situation that we're facing, and that governments have to, of course, weigh up a number of factors when it comes to expenditure. But, for all the posturing, particularly during the 2022 federal election, there is a failure to deliver solid assistance where it's needed most. Next year will be a particularly difficult one for many, with electricity bills expected to soar 20 per cent and a further 30 per cent next financial year. While some can absorb the cost by making adjustments here and there, many have legitimate concerns about how they're going to meet increased costs when there's already very little wiggle room. Christmas is just around the corner, and by then, Treasury is tipping annual inflation at 7.75 per cent. The Launceston City Mission has stated that demand for services is at its highest in a decade, acknowledging that inflation and a tough rental market is putting a strain on the budget of those seeking its services.

One Tasmanian pensioner, Suzanne, told local ABC that to make ends meet, she's begun to ration her food, and limits leaving her home. She said:

We now only go out when we absolutely have to because of the petrol prices, and if we have to go out, we make sure we do more than one thing.

We don't put our heating on until four or five o'clock, so the house is quite cold all day, and you go to bed early because you cannot afford the heating.

I am anxious, depressed, worried. It's not the life that I planned … I just never expected at this time in my life, that I would be living like this. I used to buy salmon every so often and now I don't do that. There's no special treats any more because you just can't do that. Everything you buy, you have to be really careful with and you have to ration it.

Earlier this year, Tasmanian Labor made a lot of noise about the cost-of-living crisis facing pensioners, with Shane Broad MP saying:

With pensioners spending more on transport and housing, the pressures they face are causing enormous hardship.

…   …   …

When the aged pension is already barely enough to live on, the ever-rising cost of basic necessities means making ends meet is a daily challenge for some of our most vulnerable people.

I certainly hope that Tasmanian Labor members are considering the impact their own federal government can have in addressing some of these immediate and painful cost-of-living challenges. They have been suspiciously quiet on this front, but I hope that they will find their voices soon.

Governments, of course, cannot be all things to all people at all times, but our communities do expect their representatives to step up in a time of need, and I will continue to advocate to the government to help our most vulnerable.

See this speech in context