Daily Archives: 23 March, 2026

COMMUNITY SECTOR REPORT CONFIRMS COST-OF-LIVING PRESSURES HITTING HOUSEHOLDS

SENATOR DEAN SMITH SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER TO THE SHADOW TREASURER SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR THE COST OF LIVING LIBERAL SENATOR FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA 23 March 2026 COMMUNITY SECTOR REPORT CONFIRMS COST-OF-LIVING PRESSURES HITTING HOUSEHOLDS A new report published by the Queensland Council of Social Service (QCOSS) has confirmed that cost-of-living pressures are driving a sharp rise in demand for community support services under the Albanese Government. The QCOSS State of the Sector 2025 report found 81 per cent of services experienced increased demand in the past year, while only 9 per cent said they are always able to meet demand. Housing pressures are a key driver. The report notes some households are spending up to 49 per cent – almost half – of their income on rent, while more than 31,000 households remain on the social housing waiting list, with rental vacancy rates sitting around one per cent. Confirming the toll of Labor’s cost of living crisis, community organisations report that Australians who previously did not require assistance are now seeking it as the price of essentials continues to rise. At the same time, the report found 80 per cent of organisations say government funding does not cover the full cost of service delivery, placing increasing pressure on frontline services. Unsurprisingly, the workforce is also under strain, with 46 per cent of staff reporting pressure due to understaffing and 44 per cent reporting emotional exhaustion. These findings, as has been the case with a number of recent reports, confirm the significant pressures cost of living increases are placing on households and the community sector on the Albanese Government’s watch – both across Queensland and nationally. Comments attributable to Senator Dean Smith “Frontline organisations are telling us demand is rising rapidly while their capacity to respond is stretched – this is a common story from organisations and a direct result of Labor’s inability to manage the economy and inflation.” “The QCOSS report shows only nine per cent of services say they can always meet demand, while more than eighty per cent are seeing demand increase.” “When eighty per cent of organisations advise funding does not cover the cost of delivering services, it is clear the sector is under enormous strain.” “These figures show the cost of living crisis is not only affecting households under the Albanese Government – it is placing growing pressure on the organisations working so hard to support them.”

FUEL CHAOS HURTS WA DRIVERS MOST

SENATOR DEAN SMITH SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER TO THE SHADOW TREASURER SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR THE COST OF LIVING LIBERAL SENATOR FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA 23 March 2026 FUEL CHAOS HURTS WA DRIVERS MOST Data analysis reveals why Western Australian motorists will be among the worst affected by skyrocketing fuel prices under the Albanese Government. Based on the latest available Census information*, WA had the largest number of households with two cars in Australia. It was also second only to Tasmania in having the most households with three or more cars. The analysis was completed by the office of Senator Dean Smith, who is Opposition spokesman for the Cost of Living. Data confirms 39.1 per cent of Western Australia households, or 376,783 homes, had two cars – higher than any other state – with a national average of 36.3 per cent. The average in other states ranged from 34.1 per cent (New South Wales) to 37.5 per cent (Queensland). The WA figure was up slightly on the 38.9 per cent recorded in the previous Census. Significantly, the West also had a near record number of households with three or more vehicles, at 20.7 per cent, or just under 200,000 homes. Tasmania was the only state with a higher rate at 22.3 per cent – and both were well above the national average of 18 per cent. Fuel prices continue to climb on Labor’s watch, with a failure of forward planning and mixed messaging about supply from an Energy Minister who has clearly been asleep at the wheel. In WA, there are also two aggravating factors to consider. Firstly, there has been massive population growth since this Census data was recorded, meaning a much higher number of motorists in the West will now be affected at the bowser. Secondly, it is a simple fact that Perth drivers generally have farther to travel. Perth is now reportedly the “longest” city in the world, featuring a 150km urban sprawl stretching from Two Rocks to Dawesville. All this combines to leave WA motorists uniquely exposed to the Albanese Government’s worsening fuel price pain.   Comments attributable to Senator Dean Smith: “Each data study confirms it – whether it be due to government spending and inflation, or a failure to address fuel insecurity – Australians are worse off under Labor.” “Unfortunately, we continue to see that WA is disproportionately affected, from record rental stress to the emerging fuel crisis.” “WA, and even Perth itself, is a place where many people need a vehicle to shop, to go to work, to care for a relative or do the school run, and on the Albanese Government’s watch they are paying dearly for it.” “At a time when Australian need clarity and a plan for fuel supply from their Government, Labor is failing them.” “Worst of all, this comes on top of existing cost of living pressures, with inflation and interest rates up and predicted to stay there, leaving Western Australians poorly placed to absorb fuel price spikes.”   *Census, August 2021