At a time when lack of transport was the campaign focus Peter Carnegie put on a show. As a new single father of two, he braved the questions and criticism with his heartbreaking story on the national television program ABC’s Q+A. Though Carnegie continues to work full-time, he adjusts to losing his wife to cancer, which happened in August. He is dealing with the stresses of being a single parent to his children. The program ran only a few days into the election campaign. Beyond that, both Industry Minister Ed Husic and Shadow Minister for Energy and Climate Change Ted O’Brien took the inflationary, cost-of-living crisis directly head on.
Carnegie’s story illustrates the much bigger picture issue that families are facing. He acknowledged the support of his parents, saying that having a place to live with them has been an unexpected blessing. He has a job working full-time with benefits, but he still lies awake at night wondering how to afford things. This made affording housing on his own a huge struggle.
“If we were living in the place we were living before, I’d be spending 70 per cent of my income on rent alone,” said Peter.
Personal Struggles Amid Economic Hardship
Peter Carnegie’s son, 22, at home during the pandemic. Even though he has never worked a day in his life, he was an integral part of his mother’s care while she battled illness. These days he still supports his family by working out of his younger brother’s corner.
“Now I need him more than ever, because he takes his little brother to and from school to extracurricular activities,” Peter shared.
O’Brien returned to the theme that the Coalition is committed to creating a more prosperous economy. This joint effort hopes to serve the needs of people, like Carnegie.
“I don’t know how you’ve done it, mate,” commented Ted O’Brien.
The Q+A/YouGov poll revealed something shocking. Only 12 percent of Australians think they are better off today compared with this time last year. Nearly 40 per cent said they were in a worse financial situation. These numbers highlight the economic stress being experienced all over the country.
“When you do hear the Coalition talking about the need for a stronger economy, all I can say to you is, please know that is also speaking directly to you,” said Ted O’Brien.
Broader Economic Concerns
Fiona Cameron, part of the program, has been on JobSeeker for more than a year. She has faced the danger of rent hikes over the course of this time.
While the federal government has increased JobSeeker payments and indexed welfare payments, many Australians are still feeling the squeeze of escalating costs.
“The government went to the 2022 election promising ‘no one left behind’. They left a million people behind on day one of the campaign with a flat-out refusal by the Prime Minister,” Fiona Cameron expressed.
Industry Minister Ed Husic accepted that not all the government’s moves will strike a chord with industry.
“And then there’s electricity, then there’s gas, then there’s food, then there’s petrol, there’s car insurance.” – Peter
Government Response and Public Sentiment
We can’t deny that the government’s efforts have eased the financial burden, with single parents said to be more than $5,000 a year better off. Still, the lack of widespread economic improvement continues to be a key topic in election discussions.
“The things I’ll say won’t necessarily wash well with you.” – Ed Husic
The government’s initiatives have provided some financial relief, with single parents reportedly better off by over $5,000 annually. However, the ongoing economic challenges remain a focal point in the election dialogue.
