Publications
New poll: Households concerned about energy and food prices
MEDIA RELEASE
‘Australians are most concerned about electricity costs of all the major household expenses', a new poll commissioned by the Institute of Public Affairs found, said Policy Director, Tim Wilson, today.
Mr Wilson's comments follow a Galaxy poll taken last weekend (9-11 March), that asked Australians to identify which costs concerned them most from a list of major household costs including electricity, petrol, food, mortgage repayments and public transport.
‘The poll clearly shows energy (electricity and petrol) prices continue to make Australian families nervous with 58% raising it as their biggest concern', Mr Wilson said.
The poll also shows:
• Food prices are of most concern to those working part time (26%), not working (25%) and those who identify as ‘blue collar' (26%).
• Men are most concerned about petrol prices (31%) and women are most concerned about electricity prices (33%).
• Electricity prices are of most concern to those earning less than forty thousand dollars (33%), those not working (35%) and those over fifty years of age (37%).
‘It's time politicians stopped attacking cheaper groceries, such as cheap milk, because Australians are feeling the pinch despite the general direction of prices going down'.
‘Rising prices concern those least well off in our community, they hit the poorest hardest'.
‘Those on low or fixed incomes are most concerned about electricity price rises that are being driven up by the mandatory renewable energy target and soon the carbon tax'.
‘Australians are clearly concerned about rising electricity prices, but there's no relief in sight with electricity prices set to increase further as a result of the July 1 start of the carbon tax'.
‘Rising mortgage repayments were a high concern among Australians between 22 and 49 years old, likely as a result of ongoing housing affordability concerns.'
‘Sadly, too often household prices are rising because of bad government policy. It's time governments got a reality check and stopped forcing up prices', Mr Wilson said.
Attachment: Galaxy poll results
For media and comment: Tim Wilson Policy Director 0417 356 165