State News

Queensland experiencing worst cost-of-living in the nation

10 November 2023

Cost-of-living is number one issue for Queenslanders
Palaszczuk Labor Government puts the pinch on household budgets with service failures

Reports today reveal cost-of-living pressures are weighing heavier on Queensland families, who are facing the highest cost-of-living increases of anywhere in Australia.

Alarmingly, the latest Consumer Price Index data shows Queensland is ground-zero for cost-of-living, with Queenslanders experiencing the devastating impact of decisions made by the Palaszczuk Labor Government.

In the past year, Queenslanders have had the biggest increases in key bills of any State for:

  • Rents up 9.5%
  • Health costs up 7%
  • Transport costs up 6.4%
  • Private vehicle costs, including registration, up 6.4%

Shadow Treasurer David Janetzki said Queenslanders were now paying a steep price for Labor’s failures.

“Whether it’s rent, health, transport, electricity or insurance, Queenslanders are paying more because of the Palaszczuk Labor Government’s failures,” Mr Janetzki said.

“There’s only one reason why Queenslanders are suffering through bigger cost-hikes than anywhere else in Australia, and that’s Labor’s wrong priorities.

“We are calling on Labor to adopt our cost-of-living priorities to drive down the costs for Queensland families.

“It shouldn’t be more expensive to live in Queensland, but Labor’s wrong priorities are making it unaffordable for many families.

“Labor’s failure to maintain our power plants, failure to deliver critical services and overseeing project cost-blowouts has resulted in escalating cost-of-living for Queenslanders.”

Shadow Assistant Minister for Cost of Living Dan Purdie said Labor’s wrong priorities were costing Queenslanders in the hip pocket.

“Labor’s chaos and crisis is leaving Queensland families with difficult decisions to make around the kitchen table,” Mr Purdie said.

“Queenslanders are now faced with the impossible choice of paying their rent or feeding their families.

“Thanks to Labor, we are now the worst in the nation for cost-of-living and Queenslanders can’t afford to continue paying for Labor’s failures.

“Only the LNP has the Right Priorities for Queensland’s Future, including saving you paying for Labor’s failures.”

The LNP will save you paying for Labor’s failures by:

  • Reducing Labor Government waste rather than hitting Queenslanders with higher taxes and fees.
  • Properly maintaining our power plants.
  • Driving-down the cost-of-living by reducing the impact on crime on insurance premiums.
  • Driving-down the cost-of-living by reducing traffic congestion.
  • Driving-down the cost-of-living by investing in natural disaster mitigation.
  • Identifying opportunities to reduce fees and charges.