By Matthew Sims
Annual increases in living costs have continued to rise, with age pensioner households experiencing a annual spike of about five per cent in living costs, according to new Australian Bureau of Statistics [ABS] data.
According to the ABS data, the annual increase in living costs to the March 2022 quarter for employee households (households whose principal source of income is from wages and salaries) was 3.8 per cent.
However, the annual rise in living costs for age pensioner households (households whose principal source of income is the age pension or veterans affairs pension) was 4.9 per cent.
The increase in living costs for age pensioner households was the highest increase since the September 2006 quarter.
ABS head of prices statistics Michelle Marquardt said increases in prices for food and non-alcoholic beverages had contributed to a particular impact in living costs, as well as a fuel price increase of about 35 per cent.
Foodshare Whittlesea member Leslie Booth said they had not experienced any increase in demand yet but expected that by the middle of next year, there would be an increase in individuals seeking support.
He said that with further interest rate increases, the organisation would require more funds.
“I can see the food costing more,” Mr Booth said.
Whittlesea Community Connections manager of engagement and multicultural communities Sarah Daly said the Whittlesea Food Collective had received more new clients recently for their food relief service, with about 40 families accessing the service currently.
“We have capacity to support up to 60 families a week at the Whittlesea Food Collective,” she said.
“We saw an increase in demand during Covid lockdowns and expect this to increase again with the rise in costs of living.”
To discover how to donate to the Whittlesea Food Collective, phone 9401 6666.
