Cost of living is a real problem

IT’S of no surprise that many Cairns people are struggling to make ends meet.

A new Queensland Council of Social Service report has found that many residents don’t have enough income to pay for the basics.

In some cases people are having to choose between paying the rent or putting food on the table.

Charities and welfare organisations also are under pressure to help out low-income households.

The report has found that Cairns people are paying more for food and have higher energy costs than elsewhere in Queensland.

We are at the end of the line as far as rail and road transport goes so it costs more to ship goods to the Far North.

Furthermore there is only one electricity retailer, Ergon, which means there is no competition.

Our power bills seem to go up every quarter even if consumption falls.

The region traditionally pays more for fuel and being in a cyclone zone means property, and to a lesser extent, vehicle insurance, is higher too.

Private healthcare premiums are on the rise and, of course, battlers cannot afford the cost so rely on the public health system as well as bulkbilling medical practices to seek treatment, putting more stress on our public hospitals.

Rents are high in the Far North and the sheer lack of rental accommodation is another factor.

Better and more affordable public transport is also required.

The cost of living will become a key election issue and all political parties will be expected to address the issue with calls to raise the Newstart and Youth Allowance by $75 per week.