27 June 2023

This morning Canning MP Andrew Hastie, and Leader of the Opposition, Peter Dutton, held a cost-of-living forum hosted by Eastlake Church, Greenfields. 

Community outreach workers, real estate representatives and local residents gathered to raise awareness of the issues faced by our most vulnerable members of the community, including sky-rocketing rents and mortgages, limited housing availability and the cost-of-living crisis.

More and more Australian families, including those in our community, can’t afford to pay their rent or mortgage—and an increasing number are finding it harder to put food on the table and pay the bills.

Attendees of the forum shared personal stories of the severe lack of housing—a single parent unable to find a home for her four children, a grandmother with 19 dependents under the one roof, and the support services that are being pushed beyond their capacity to provide crisis care.

Mr Hastie said, “Peter and I listened to the community and the message we heard is loud and clear—Australians are doing it tough”

“Cost-of-living is an ongoing and growing concern for Australians.

“Mr Albanese and the Labor Government have delivered two federal budgets which have only served to weaken our economy.”

Mr Hastie added, “People are hurting—it’s winter and we have families, we have children in caravan parks and tents. We have people in homes, but they can’t afford to turn on the heating.

“Canning might be at the bottom of Labor’s priorities, but I’m pleased to report Opposition Leader Peter Dutton is listening.

“The Prime Minister needs to hear these stories and take responsibility for his economy-destroying policies—and take action to provide relief.”