The cost of living crisis has cast a long shadow over Australia's communities, but in the electorate of Casey, nestled in Melbourne's outer east, its impact has been particularly profound. Through recent community conversations, residents have shared their deeply personal stories of struggle and resilience in the face of mounting financial pressures.
Over the last fortnight, Voices for Casey’s #1 Pulse Survey has focused on ‘Cost of Living’. The people have spoken, and the findings are here.
Findings Part 1: The Rising Tide
For many families in Casey, everyday activities have become exercises in careful financial planning. Local parents describe the heartbreaking reality of counting individual pieces of fruit for children's lunchboxes, while others detail their meticulous meal planning to stretch increasingly expensive groceries.
“These aren't just statistics – they're real families making real sacrifices at the kitchen table.”
Research Designer John Robinson explains
"The housing crisis looms large over the community, with long-term residents finding themselves priced out of areas they've called home for decades. A particularly poignant story comes from an elderly couple in their seventies, who shared their anxiety about rising rent costs eating into their fixed retirement income. Meanwhile, young families watch their dreams of home-ownership fade with each passing month of rising property prices."
Transportation costs have become another significant burden, especially for those commuting to Melbourne for work. The community has adapted creatively, with carpooling networks emerging and workers adjusting their schedules to manage fuel costs. However, these adaptations come at a personal cost, impacting family time and work-life balance.
Perhaps most concerning are the healthcare compromises being made. Community members report delaying essential medical appointments, rationing medications, and postponing dental care. Local healthcare workers have noticed an increasing trend of patients struggling to maintain prescribed treatments, raising serious concerns about long-term health outcomes.
The emotional impact is equally significant. Parents speak of the guilt they feel when unable to provide extracurricular activities for their children, while seniors describe the isolation that comes when social activities become unaffordable luxuries. These stories paint a picture of a community where financial stress is eroding not just bank accounts, but the very fabric of social connections.
Part 2: Community Solutions
Yet amid these challenges, Casey residents aren't just sharing their struggles – they're proposing thoughtful, comprehensive solutions to address the crisis. Their suggestions reflect a deep understanding of the systemic changes needed to create lasting change.
At the forefront is a call to address corporate concentration, particularly in the supermarket sector. Residents point to the Coles-Woolworths duopoly as a prime example of how market concentration drives up prices while generating record corporate profits. They advocate for stronger regulation and measures to ensure fair pricing of essential items.
Housing reform features prominently in proposed solutions, with community members calling for a multi-faceted approach including rent caps, negative gearing reform, and increased investment in social housing. These suggestions aim to transform housing from a speculative investment back into a basic right.
The community's vision extends to energy policy, with strong support for renewable energy initiatives. Residents see the transition to solar and battery storage not just as an environmental necessity but as a practical solution to rising energy costs. They advocate for policies that would prioritise domestic energy security over exports.
Healthcare solutions focus on strengthening Medicare, including calls to expand coverage to dental care and increase support for bulk-billing practices. These proposals reflect an understanding that health security is fundamental to economic security. The sophistication of these proposed solutions demonstrates that Casey residents understand both the immediate challenges and the longer-term structural changes needed. They're calling for brave, transformative action that puts people before profits and builds an economy that
serves everyone, not just the wealthy few.
As we look to the future, these voices from Casey offer both a warning and a blueprint for change. Their experiences highlight the urgent need for reform, while their proposed solutions provide a pathway forward. The message is clear: meaningful change requires courage to challenge existing power structures and a commitment to building a fairer, more sustainable economic future for all Australians.
The findings can be read in more detail here.
