South Australians hoping for an Easter bargain this year will be left bitterly disappointed at the checkout, with the cost of a typical supermarket shop soaring compared to March 2022 prices.
The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data from December 2024, has revealed significant price hikes across a range of items, putting added pressure on household budgets during a cost-of-living crisis:
- Bread – up 24.9 per cent.
- Milk – up 18.9 per cent.
- Eggs – up 36.2 per cent.
- Chocolate – up 18.4 per cent.
- Cheese – up 20.7 per cent.
- Fish – up 14.4 per cent.
- Alcoholic Beverages – up 12.3 per cent.
- Cakes and Biscuits – up 22.1 per cent.
Leader of the Opposition, Vincent Tarzia said the cost-of-living crisis is affecting both households and small businesses – forcing many shoppers to reconsider their Easter plans.
“Easter is a time many South Australians look forward to, but for too many, the rising cost-of-living across the board, including at the checkout, is making it harder to celebrate,” Mr Tarzia said.
“Whether you’re facing higher power and water prices at home, or you’re a small business owner feeling the pinch of increased costs of doing business such as rising insurance prices or payroll tax, the last thing you want is to then have to face rising costs at the checkout too.
“That’s why the Liberal Opposition is working to alleviate hip pocket pain both at home and for small business – with a number of key policies already introduced, and more to come as we head towards the next State Election.”
The Liberal Opposition has already unveiled a range of policies, aimed at reducing the cost-of-living for South Australians, including:
- Reinstating the Home Battery Scheme – allowing South Australians with solar panels to access subsidies for the purchase of home battery systems, reducing power bills.
- Scrapping Labor’s GP payroll tax grab – making it more affordable for South Australians to see their GP.
- Lifting the payroll tax threshold from $1.5 million up to $2.1 million – alleviating cost pressures for small businesses and incentivising job creation.
- Reducing stamp duty costs for first home buyers through a $10,000 stamp duty discount on existing properties valued up to $750,000 – helping first home buyers enter the housing market here in South Australia.
- Ending Labor’s water bill price hike by removing Labor’s price hike of 3.5 per cent above CPI on water bills.
“The reality is, South Australians are paying more for the goods and services they need under the Malinauskas Labor Government, all while their standard of living goes backwards,” Shadow Minister for Cost of Living, Heidi Girolamo said.
"Labor has failed to deliver where it matters most, allowing the cost of living to soar while South Australians are left bracing for an uncertain future.
“Instead of providing relief, they have relentlessly hit the hip pockets of hard-working South Australians – leaving families and small businesses struggling to make ends meet.
"You shouldn’t have to skimp on your Easter shop or everyday essentials because Labor is pushing budgets to the limit at home and for small businesses. It's time for a Government that prioritises easing the financial pressure on families and businesses, not one that adds to it."
