Member for Bowman, Henry Pike, has welcomed the Leader of the Opposition, Peter Dutton, to the Redlands to hear from local families and businesses about escalating cost-of-living pressures.
“Many local families and small businesses are doing it tough, and it’ll become even harder if the RBA continues to raise interest rates to combat inflation,” Mr Pike said.
“We’ve seen the new Government already abandon their promises to reduce electricity prices by $275 and increase real wages, and we can expect significant cost increases across the board for many months to come.”
Mr Dutton spoke with local businesses and residents about the impact of interest rate rises on mortgages and businesses, supply chain issues, and cost of living pressures.
“It was invaluable to the get firsthand accounts from locals about how the current economic circumstances are affecting their businesses and households,” Mr Pike said.
“It was great to be able to discuss the LNP’s constructive solutions to boost productivity and restrict inflation, including getting pensioners back into the workforce and opposing Labor’s abolition of the Australian Building and Construction Commission.”
Mr Pike said that many Redland businesses are extremely reluctant to pass on cost increases to local consumers, but under the current economic circumstances they have no option.
“The previous government fought hard to keep cost of living pressures down, through our Covid economic response we kept many small businesses open, Redlanders employed, and the economy strong,” Mr Pike said.
“No government can control the circumstances they face, but they must take action to address the challenges that confront them.”
“If new government fails to act, it will mean more pressure on inflation, more pressure on interest rates and higher cost of living for Australian families and small businesses. “
Mr Dutton is calling on the Albanese Labor Government to develop a comprehensive plan that addresses the cost-of-living issues Australians are currently experiencing.