'Democracy Sausage' Pricing Backlash: Are You Paying Too Much?
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The Australian election tradition of grabbing a 'democracy sausage' after voting has left a bad taste in some voters' mouths this year.
The pain of waiting in long queues at polling booths is often softened with a tasty sausage sizzle run by local community groups. But now, some Aussies claim you'll pay through the nose for that privilege.
One cheeky polling station menu advertised a 'classic democracy sausage' for $7 and a 'cost of living' sausage for $6. Extras like onions were $1 each. Understandably, not everyone was happy to fork out almost 10 bucks for a humble snag.
'I’d vote no to those prices!' one enthusiast fumed on X, formerly known as Twitter. 'I paid $4 and got 4 sausages on mine.'
So what's behind the apparent price gouging? Sausage sizzles have been hit by the same cost of living pressures as everyone else. Ingredients, bread, utilities and insurance have all gone up. Add in rising labour costs, and many community groups are left out of pocket or forced to raise funds to cover costs.
But $7 for a sausage still seems steep when people are watching their budgets closely. As one commenter put it: 'Mate, I just want a cheap snag. Don’t give me your cost of living sausage!'
The time-honoured tradition of the 'democracy sausage' boasts a rich history that, like the beloved sausage sandwich itself, is a uniquely Australian blend of the serious and the sublime.
The tradition started in the late 20th century, alongside the Australian tradition of compulsory voting. What better way to encourage citizens to have their say at the ballot box than by enticing them with a sizzling snack?
Originally, these sausage sizzles were often hosted by schools that acted as polling stations. The money raised would directly support the school or be contributed to local fundraisers. For decades, the classic sausage sandwich remained a mere couple of dollars, often costing only the golden coin that could easily be found in the recesses of one’s pocket on voting day.
Interestingly, the term 'democracy sausage', popularly used to refer to Election Day snags, only entered the Australian vernacular in the past decade. The phrase was added to the Australian National Dictionary in 2016 after claiming the title of 'Word of the Year' by the Australian National Dictionary Centre. The term's significance reaches beyond wordplay, encapsulating Australia's quirky blend of civic duty, camaraderie, and love for a good snag.
The 'democracy sausage' is also a reflection of Australian egalitarianism: no matter your political leanings, everyone queues up for the same bite. Candidates, party supporters, and regular voters have been known to bond over the barbecue, albeit momentarily, turning the potentially mundane act of voting into a festive, community-focused event.
However, recent pricing increases could be threatening that warm, inclusive spirit. The pricing backlash mirrors wider frustrations with stagnant wage growth and inflation eating into disposable incomes. With sausages now an unaffordable luxury for some, the relatable community event risks losing its appeal.
There are always vegetarian options like veggie burgers too. But expect to pay the same premium despite the product change.
While demand is still high, supply issues have seen sausage sizzles dwindle this election. Research shows just 10% of polling places currently have sizzles planned, down from 41% in the 2022 federal election.
So what can voters do? Here are some tips:
The pain of waiting in long queues at polling booths is often softened with a tasty sausage sizzle run by local community groups. But now, some Aussies claim you'll pay through the nose for that privilege.
One cheeky polling station menu advertised a 'classic democracy sausage' for $7 and a 'cost of living' sausage for $6. Extras like onions were $1 each. Understandably, not everyone was happy to fork out almost 10 bucks for a humble snag.
'I’d vote no to those prices!' one enthusiast fumed on X, formerly known as Twitter. 'I paid $4 and got 4 sausages on mine.'
One cheeky polling station menu advertised the price of ‘democracy sausage’ for $7 and the ‘cost of living sausage’ for $6. Credit: X
So what's behind the apparent price gouging? Sausage sizzles have been hit by the same cost of living pressures as everyone else. Ingredients, bread, utilities and insurance have all gone up. Add in rising labour costs, and many community groups are left out of pocket or forced to raise funds to cover costs.
But $7 for a sausage still seems steep when people are watching their budgets closely. As one commenter put it: 'Mate, I just want a cheap snag. Don’t give me your cost of living sausage!'
The time-honoured tradition of the 'democracy sausage' boasts a rich history that, like the beloved sausage sandwich itself, is a uniquely Australian blend of the serious and the sublime.
The tradition started in the late 20th century, alongside the Australian tradition of compulsory voting. What better way to encourage citizens to have their say at the ballot box than by enticing them with a sizzling snack?
Originally, these sausage sizzles were often hosted by schools that acted as polling stations. The money raised would directly support the school or be contributed to local fundraisers. For decades, the classic sausage sandwich remained a mere couple of dollars, often costing only the golden coin that could easily be found in the recesses of one’s pocket on voting day.
Interestingly, the term 'democracy sausage', popularly used to refer to Election Day snags, only entered the Australian vernacular in the past decade. The phrase was added to the Australian National Dictionary in 2016 after claiming the title of 'Word of the Year' by the Australian National Dictionary Centre. The term's significance reaches beyond wordplay, encapsulating Australia's quirky blend of civic duty, camaraderie, and love for a good snag.
The 'democracy sausage' is also a reflection of Australian egalitarianism: no matter your political leanings, everyone queues up for the same bite. Candidates, party supporters, and regular voters have been known to bond over the barbecue, albeit momentarily, turning the potentially mundane act of voting into a festive, community-focused event.
Camdenville Public School’s menu includes the classic ‘democracy sausage’ for $5 ‘cost of living sausage’ without extras for $4. Credit: X
However, recent pricing increases could be threatening that warm, inclusive spirit. The pricing backlash mirrors wider frustrations with stagnant wage growth and inflation eating into disposable incomes. With sausages now an unaffordable luxury for some, the relatable community event risks losing its appeal.
There are always vegetarian options like veggie burgers too. But expect to pay the same premium despite the product change.
While demand is still high, supply issues have seen sausage sizzles dwindle this election. Research shows just 10% of polling places currently have sizzles planned, down from 41% in the 2022 federal election.
So what can voters do? Here are some tips:
- Check online in advance for cheap or free sausage sizzles near your local polling place. The Democracy Sausage website is great for this.
- Go early when supplies are freshest
- BYO onions, sauce or bread to avoid any added costs
- Look for cake stalls or alternative snacks nearby if sausages are scarce
- Be prepared to vote sausage-less if the prices are just too outrageous!
