The cost of living crisis is one of the biggest stories around and everyone – the media, government, community organisations, mums at school drop off – is talking about it. Life has become so expensive that many of us are now struggling to meet the basics of life like rent, food, petrol, and bills.
The Federal Government created the Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee in September 2022 to provide them with independent advice before every Federal Budget about economic inclusion and tackling disadvantage.
They have done a great job with what we consider to be some sensible recommendations in 2023 and in 2024.
Starting at the same time, a Senate Committee was formed to look at the costs of living and what the government can do about them. This was in addition to a Senate Committee looking at the nature and extent of poverty in Australia.
We made submissions to both of these committees and our CEO, Jenny, and a single mother member went and spoke to the public hearing of the Poverty Inquiry. This committee reported in February 2024.
The work of the Cost of Living Committee, however, lingers on. Its report date has been extended three times. You can read our submission here.
We are now collecting stories about how the cost of living crisis is impacting single mothers to share with the Committee. Kiara* is sharing hers, and we’re inviting you to tell your story too.
Kiara’s story
“I lost my home and car when my marriage ended, leaving me homeless at first, and eventually bound to pay competitive rent. My income is $3950 per month. My rent is $2000 a month. This means that I have just under $500 income a week to live off.
“Our safety absorbs much of our income. By virtue of a history of family violence, I pay for three mobile phone plans. I also pay an internet plan and toll fees to travel to work. Around $200 a week is left for food and petrol. My children are 17, 14 and 12 and eat like adults.
“Most nights I finish work and come home to sell things on eBay and Facebook Marketplace to put food on the table the next day. I’ve lived like that for at least five years, but never with as much desperation as I have in the last year.
“I am only paid monthly in my job, and sometimes the pay cycle is five weeks instead of four. Last time it was five weeks, I contacted St Vincent de Paul for help. However their phone lines were closed for four days in a row due to being too busy and I never got through.
“Since costs escalated so much in fresh food and petrol, I have started to forgo necessities, and presently have no car insurance, and I pray every time I drive, because it leaves me feeling so insecure on the road and vulnerable to expenses I can’t afford to pay, if I have even a small bingle. I need extensive dental treatment. I lose my voice often and wonder if dental infection has caused it. Some cavities in the back of my mouth have gone untreated. I take paracetamol to ease the tooth and gum aches and keep going.
“I feel like a farce most days, because I look like every other working woman but most days my car is in the carpark with a low-to-empty petrol level, and I often sit at my desk and calculate which meals I should skip myself for the week. That’s an honest account of the pressures I feel most days. By the Grace of God I get through.”
What is your story about the cost of living?
We told Katia’s story in our submission and we now want to profile some single mother stories to the Committee.
Simply tell us the top three ways the cost of living crisis is affecting you and your children. Go into as much or as little detail as you like. You can be as anonymous as you want. Email your stories to policy@csmc.org.au.
*Name has been changed.
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