Posted on: 24 April 2024
South Australian families and small businesses have again experienced the biggest increase in the cost of everyday items when compared to the rest of the country as the cost of living crisis worsens.
Yet again, new Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data shows South Australians continue to battle the highest inflation rate in the country.
Today’s ABS data has revealed the CPI rose 4.3 per cent over the 12 months between March 2023 and March 2024 in Adelaide, the highest rate in the country.
Shadow Treasurer Matt Cowdrey said every South Australian is struggling, with the typical family more than $20,000 worse off since Peter Malinauskas became Labor Premier.
“The cost of living pressures swamping South Australians are out of control and nowhere is doing it tougher than here,” Mr Cowdrey said.
“Every household item you could think of has increased in price which means South Australian families are digging deeper and deeper into empty pockets just to get by.
“It also means small businesses are paying extra each month just to keep their doors open.
“That’s why so many local businesses are throwing in the towel – forcing the loss of hundreds of jobs – and it’s a sad thing to witness.
Shadow Minister for Finance and Tax Reform, Heidi Girolamo, said there are now 11,500 fewer South Australians in full-time employment.
“We know for the month of March there were 11,500 fewer South Australians employed full-time than in the previous month – that is a scary unemployment rate that is a reality for our state,” Ms Girolamo said.
“The cost of living crisis is showing no signs of abating, while Peter Malinauskas refuses to outline his economic plan for the state, and we have people losing jobs left, right, and centre.
“This increase is also a direct result of Labor’s excessive overspending on pet projects with the inflationary impact falling onto everyday South Australians.
“With the typical South Australian family more than $20,000 worse off under Labor, when will Peter Malinauskas reveal his economic plan?”