Cost of living | low income households

QCOSS issued the first of its 'Cost of Living' reports in May 2011. The report outlines why more and more households are reportining difficulty paying for essential items - housing, food, electricity, water, and transport.

New figures from the Queensland Competition Authority show that Queensland is likely to remain the state with the highest rate of residential electricity disconnections in Australia. What’s worse, says QCOSS President Karyn Walsh, is that almost 20 per cent of those disconnected for non-payment were pensioners or concession card holders.

In July 2007, the Queensland energy market underwent major changes. For the first time Queenslanders were able to choose which supplier they bought their electricity and gas from. Although Queensland consumers were promised significant cost savings by the Government with the introduction of full retail competition, electricity and gas prices are going up not down.

A report released today recommends a review of the concessions system in Queensland for people on low incomes. The QCOSS Cost of Living Report: ensuring a basic standard of living for low income Queenslanders is the first in an ongoing series of reports from QCOSS.

Some low income households in Queensland will receive greater concessions following today’s state budget. The Queensland Council of Social Service has been advocating for better support for low income houses and continues to call for these concessions to be extended further.

A report released today reveals Queenslanders on low income face tough choices trying to make ends meet. The QCOSS Cost of Living Report: ensuring a basic standard of living for low income Queenslanders is the first in an ongoing series of reports from QCOSS. It shows many people are unable to afford a basic standard of living.