Independent candidate for Rumney, Cate Clark, has today released the results of her online survey with no surprises that energy prices was easily at the top of the list.
“Visitors to my campaign website have been able to cast a vote in order to indicate the issue of most importance to them from choices that included important issues such as energy prices, health care, public transport, housing, water and sewerage, child protection, roads and infrastructure, education and the environment.
The results send very clear messages and are entirely consistent with community concerns that are repeatedly conveyed to me on a daily basis while working in the electorate.
1. Energy Prices (30%)
2. Housing (12.9%)
3. Health Care (12.9%)
4. Education (10.0%)
5. Water and Sewerage (8.6%)
6. Child Protection (8.6%)
7. Environment (7.1%)
8. Roads & Infrastructure (5.7%)
9. Public Transport (4.3%)
The sad thing is that this is nothing new and is certainly not a news flash for anyone that happens to live in the real world.
I note that one of the candidates (Mr Sam McQuestin) in the current election for the seat of Launceston also recently conducted a survey of the northern electorate with results that appear to echo similar concerns.
In his media release Mr McQuestin states:
“I surveyed more than one thousand people right across the seat of Launceston, from Prospect to Norwood, Hadpsen to Youngtown about what concerned them the most. The issue that came up time and time again was the soaring cost of living.”
Also, a recent report titled “The Cost of Living in Tasmania: Interim Report” details the increasing gap between the rising cost of living and the capacity people have to cope with them. The report also outlines a number of ways government can assist.
The unfortunate reality is that Tasmanians have a lower weekly income ($134 lower) than those on the mainland yet we have to spend more on cost of living basics such as:
food (17.8 per cent compared with 17.1 per cent nationally)
transport (16.9 per cent compared with 15.6 per cent )
fuel and power (3.7 per cent compared with 2.6 per cent )
Add to this the fact that more than a third of Tasmanians are receiving some sort of government benefit as part or all of their income and you can clearly see why we are seeing so many people in dire straits.
The bottom line is that so many Tasmanians are being faced with the simple proposition of not being able to pay the bills for their basic needs (much less anything discretionary). It is not acceptable that people are deciding between buying a meal and turning on the heater.
As far as I can see, little to nothing has been done to provide meaningful assistance to those most in need and I call on the Government to get off their hands and to make cost of living front and centre on the political agenda. The message is loud and clear, action now.” Ms Clark said.
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