For years, nearly everybody has grappled with the ongoing challenge of making their dollars go the extra mile.

The past year, however, has proven exceptionally tough, especially for those residing in the remote reaches of Australia.

With inflation on the rise and people feeling the squeeze when it comes to budgeting for groceries, it's disheartening to learn about the costs some Australians have no choice but to bear, such as a staggering $100 price tag on ham in Cape York.

The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) is conducting an inquiry on price gouging across various industries.

Most recently, it stopped over in Cairns, Queensland, where it heard the story of retired nurse Ann Kreger.

Ms Kreger recently testified at a hearing in the city about her challenges in coping with the increasing cost of living.

‘I have a fixed income pension, partly through superannuation and the government, but my savings have been completely depleted over the last year. There’s no non-essentials anymore,’ shared Ms Kreger.

She added that due to financial constraints, she had to forego contents insurance in the cyclone-prone area and is contemplating cancelling her car insurance.

Per ACTU's price gouging inquiry, Cape York residents are paying nearly $100 for a leg of ham, per ACTU's price gouging inquiry. Image source: X/@unionsaustralia

The inquiry was held in Cairns for its closeness to Cape York and Torres Strait, where prices are said to be more than triple those in urban centres.

Former Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) Head Allan Fels is at the helm of the inquiry.

The inquiry received reports of individuals spending close to $100 for a leg of ham among the 600 submissions examined.

Mince held a hefty price tag of $19.00 per kilogram, while diesel costs soared to an eye-watering $2.87 per litre.

General Secretary of the Queensland Council of Unions (QCU) Jacqueline King believes the inquiry will uncover where prices have been highly inflated.

‘Housing, food, transport, energy, insurance and education have all gone up, so I think it's fair to look at who the players are in that space,’ Ms King noted.

Ms King further stressed that attributing the rise in grocery prices and Woolworth's grocery division's 20 per cent profit increase in the last 12 months to the war in Ukraine is not warranted.

The inquiry into price gouging is investigating the increasing expenses associated with groceries. Image source: Pixabay

Big business groups have vehemently disputed the evidence presented by Ms King and the ACTU.

Andrew McKellar, representing the Australia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), went as far as to label it a ‘total Punch and Judy show.'

According to Mr McKellar, the surge in costs is primarily attributed to supply shortages and heightened market demand.

Meanwhile, the ACTU noted major banks and supermarkets have refused to attend hearings.

The inquiry on price gouging is also expected to continue, with the target for an interim report set at the end of 2023.

Key Takeaways

• An inquiry backed by the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) is examining price gouging across various industries in Australia, with testimony from locals citing extremely high costs of living.
• A retired nurse, Ann Kreger, gave evidence of her struggle with rising costs, revealing she had dropped her home insurance and was considering letting go of her car insurance.
• The inquiry heard that locals in Cape York were paying excessively high prices for groceries, including $19 per kilogram for mince and nearly $100 for a leg of ham.
• Despite input from many individuals, major banks or supermarket giants have yet to attend the hearings.
• The inquiry's interim report is expected by the end of the year.

Members, what do you think of this story? Have you experienced situations where the prices of certain groceries seem unreasonably high? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

 

[David567]

The government claimed price gouging after Covid 19 would carry stiff penalities. So much for that because even the government is price gouging. Albo has had a wage rise, but for what I don't know.

 

[AlanQ]

Is $16: per kilo considered to be price gouging? The sensationalist headline makes a current affair look like an actual news show. It isn't that unrealistic a price for over 5.5 kilos of ham. Don't buy it at the peak, if you don't want to pay that price wait it out until they mark it down from lack of interest or sales.

 

[Liz]

I am on a fixed pension from the Government and I am struggling to make ends meet, there is basically nothing left after paying rent, insurances, electricity and phone. Just getting food is hard enough for me and my cat. I know, some would say why have a cat, but she is my sanity. Food for both of us is going up and up. And they keep rebranding products and increasing the price. Where is that fair?

 

[DLHM]

I am on a fixed pension from the Government and I am struggling to make ends meet, there is basically nothing left after paying rent, insurances, electricity and phone. Just getting food is hard enough for me and my cat. I know, some would say why have a cat, but she is my sanity. Food for both of us is going up and up. And they keep rebranding products and increasing the price. Where is that fair?

I know this is off-topic, but felt compelled to affirm you don’t need to explain why you have a cat.
“Interacting with animals has been shown to decrease levels of cortisol (an stress-related hormone) and lower blood pressure. Other studies have found that animals can reduce loneliness, increase feelings of social support, and boost your mood.”
And yes, I live with my beautiful cat too.

 

[magpie1]

and I'm in the same boat as @Liz except with a beautiful little puppy....I'll continue to feed her before myself if it gets much worse. ❤

 

[Singomate]

For years, nearly everybody has grappled with the ongoing challenge of making their dollars go the extra mile.

The past year, however, has proven exceptionally tough, especially for those residing in the remote reaches of Australia.

With inflation on the rise and people feeling the squeeze when it comes to budgeting for groceries, it's disheartening to learn about the costs some Australians have no choice but to bear, such as a staggering $100 price tag on ham in Cape York.

The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) is conducting an inquiry on price gouging across various industries.

Most recently, it stopped over in Cairns, Queensland, where it heard the story of retired nurse Ann Kreger.

Ms Kreger recently testified at a hearing in the city about her challenges in coping with the increasing cost of living.

‘I have a fixed income pension, partly through superannuation and the government, but my savings have been completely depleted over the last year. There’s no non-essentials anymore,’ shared Ms Kreger.

She added that due to financial constraints, she had to forego contents insurance in the cyclone-prone area and is contemplating cancelling her car insurance.

View attachment 34341

Per ACTU's price gouging inquiry, Cape York residents are paying nearly $100 for a leg of ham, per ACTU's price gouging inquiry. Image source: X/@unionsaustralia

The inquiry was held in Cairns for its closeness to Cape York and Torres Strait, where prices are said to be more than triple those in urban centres.

Former Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) Head Allan Fels is at the helm of the inquiry.

The inquiry received reports of individuals spending close to $100 for a leg of ham among the 600 submissions examined.

Mince held a hefty price tag of $19.00 per kilogram, while diesel costs soared to an eye-watering $2.87 per litre.

General Secretary of the Queensland Council of Unions (QCU) Jacqueline King believes the inquiry will uncover where prices have been highly inflated.

‘Housing, food, transport, energy, insurance and education have all gone up, so I think it's fair to look at who the players are in that space,’ Ms King noted.

Ms King further stressed that attributing the rise in grocery prices and Woolworth's grocery division's 20 per cent profit increase in the last 12 months to the war in Ukraine is not warranted.

View attachment 34342

The inquiry into price gouging is investigating the increasing expenses associated with groceries. Image source: Pixabay

Big business groups have vehemently disputed the evidence presented by Ms King and the ACTU.

Andrew McKellar, representing the Australia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), went as far as to label it a ‘total Punch and Judy show.'

According to Mr McKellar, the surge in costs is primarily attributed to supply shortages and heightened market demand.

Meanwhile, the ACTU noted major banks and supermarkets have refused to attend hearings.

The inquiry on price gouging is also expected to continue, with the target for an interim report set at the end of 2023.

Key Takeaways

• An inquiry backed by the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) is examining price gouging across various industries in Australia, with testimony from locals citing extremely high costs of living.
• A retired nurse, Ann Kreger, gave evidence of her struggle with rising costs, revealing she had dropped her home insurance and was considering letting go of her car insurance.
• The inquiry heard that locals in Cape York were paying excessively high prices for groceries, including $19 per kilogram for mince and nearly $100 for a leg of ham.
• Despite input from many individuals, major banks or supermarket giants have yet to attend the hearings.
• The inquiry's interim report is expected by the end of the year.

Members, what do you think of this story? Have you experienced situations where the prices of certain groceries seem unreasonably high? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Please come to the Gold Coast and Tweed Heads, talk about price gouging,,Fuel last week Diesel $2.87 per litre $2.54 unleaded 98 $2.42 95 unleaded $2.38 standard unleaded $4.40 1.5 litres of Norco milk at Coles so much for the buy Australian speiel . Gravy beef $23.00 dollars a kilo. And it goes on Rents dearer than some of Sydney s prices, do you know why we live here is because we can't afford to leave ,me part pension Wife working in a job that looks after her health a nurse for 45 years.

 

[Shihan]

I have read these posts during agree with all.I shop for my wife and myself and have noticed that our weekly grocery bill has continued to rise weekly.The groceries I purchased 12months ago for an average of $120 are now &180. Our power and gas bills as well as our phone bill have increased greatly. Presently we are cutting back every where we can. Until the Federal Government gets things under control I don’t know where wewill end up.

 

[stev3281]

For years, nearly everybody has grappled with the ongoing challenge of making their dollars go the extra mile.

The past year, however, has proven exceptionally tough, especially for those residing in the remote reaches of Australia.

With inflation on the rise and people feeling the squeeze when it comes to budgeting for groceries, it's disheartening to learn about the costs some Australians have no choice but to bear, such as a staggering $100 price tag on ham in Cape York.

The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) is conducting an inquiry on price gouging across various industries.

Most recently, it stopped over in Cairns, Queensland, where it heard the story of retired nurse Ann Kreger.

Ms Kreger recently testified at a hearing in the city about her challenges in coping with the increasing cost of living.

‘I have a fixed income pension, partly through superannuation and the government, but my savings have been completely depleted over the last year. There’s no non-essentials anymore,’ shared Ms Kreger.

She added that due to financial constraints, she had to forego contents insurance in the cyclone-prone area and is contemplating cancelling her car insurance.

View attachment 34341

Per ACTU's price gouging inquiry, Cape York residents are paying nearly $100 for a leg of ham, per ACTU's price gouging inquiry. Image source: X/@unionsaustralia

The inquiry was held in Cairns for its closeness to Cape York and Torres Strait, where prices are said to be more than triple those in urban centres.

Former Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) Head Allan Fels is at the helm of the inquiry.

The inquiry received reports of individuals spending close to $100 for a leg of ham among the 600 submissions examined.

Mince held a hefty price tag of $19.00 per kilogram, while diesel costs soared to an eye-watering $2.87 per litre.

General Secretary of the Queensland Council of Unions (QCU) Jacqueline King believes the inquiry will uncover where prices have been highly inflated.

‘Housing, food, transport, energy, insurance and education have all gone up, so I think it's fair to look at who the players are in that space,’ Ms King noted.

Ms King further stressed that attributing the rise in grocery prices and Woolworth's grocery division's 20 per cent profit increase in the last 12 months to the war in Ukraine is not warranted.

View attachment 34342

The inquiry into price gouging is investigating the increasing expenses associated with groceries. Image source: Pixabay

Big business groups have vehemently disputed the evidence presented by Ms King and the ACTU.

Andrew McKellar, representing the Australia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), went as far as to label it a ‘total Punch and Judy show.'

According to Mr McKellar, the surge in costs is primarily attributed to supply shortages and heightened market demand.

Meanwhile, the ACTU noted major banks and supermarkets have refused to attend hearings.

The inquiry on price gouging is also expected to continue, with the target for an interim report set at the end of 2023.

Key Takeaways

• An inquiry backed by the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) is examining price gouging across various industries in Australia, with testimony from locals citing extremely high costs of living.
• A retired nurse, Ann Kreger, gave evidence of her struggle with rising costs, revealing she had dropped her home insurance and was considering letting go of her car insurance.
• The inquiry heard that locals in Cape York were paying excessively high prices for groceries, including $19 per kilogram for mince and nearly $100 for a leg of ham.
• Despite input from many individuals, major banks or supermarket giants have yet to attend the hearings.
• The inquiry's interim report is expected by the end of the year.

Members, what do you think of this story? Have you experienced situations where the prices of certain groceries seem unreasonably high? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

FLAMIN' DISGUSTING

 

[Ragnar]

It's absolutely outrageous to hear about $100 for a ham in rural areas! Price gouging like this exploits those with limited access to alternatives. It's vital that authorities investigate and take action to prevent such predatory practices. Rural communities often face higher costs, but this level of markup is unjustifiable and needs immediate attention to protect consumers. To find the best prices I use Priceva.

 

[DLHM]

Please come to the Gold Coast and Tweed Heads, talk about price gouging,,Fuel last week Diesel $2.87 per litre $2.54 unleaded 98 $2.42 95 unleaded $2.38 standard unleaded $4.40 1.5 litres of Norco milk at Coles so much for the buy Australian speiel . Gravy beef $23.00 dollars a kilo. And it goes on Rents dearer than some of Sydney s prices, do you know why we live here is because we can't afford to leave ,me part pension Wife working in a job that looks after her health a nurse for 45 years.

Being trapped is a horrible feeling

 

[Shihan]

Rural areas have always been pay more for common everyday items with the supermarkets price gouging them. The rural areas have no choice but to pay. I feel so sorry for them.