Gosh, the one per cent are having a field day, aren’t they?
With help from complicit mainstream media they continue to divide a stressed out, distracted working class, increasing prices on everything from food and petrol to energy.
Interest rates have risen over the past five months too, while squeezed supply chains are restricting movements of goods.
It’s getting more expensive all round, because Australia is experiencing its highest inflation in 20 years.
That’s what Dr Daniel Mulino MP said on Tuesday.
He is Chair of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Economics, and they are holding a public hearing with Reserve Bank (RBA) Governor, Philip Lowe, on September 16.
A very large forecast miss
Lowe admitted only last week that the fast rise in interest rates represents a ‘very large forecast miss’, and there are calls for his resignation, owing to not doing a very good job, and being out of touch.
What – a banker, out of touch?
Profits have never been so high.
CEO pay packets, such as that enjoyed by Alan Joyce for example, are still climbing, despite QANTAS going to shit.
The Guardian reported that Joyce’s take-home pay for 2022 was $2.27m, up from $1.98m in 2021.
It’s a symptom of a declining Western empire, which has been running empty of empathy, integrity and the common good for decades.
After nine years of the Liberal/ Nationals government, for example, the opportunity was lost to replace crumbling coal electricity networks and ensure energy stability.
Isn’t it treasonous that all the nation’s gas supplies are being shipped away for the benefit of global corporations, who pay next to nothing for the privilege?
Those in the UK and Europe are facing massive electricity price hikes too, and have been abandoned by their political class.
The New Statesman reported on August 26 that ‘Typical energy bills are forecast to be more than £3,000 a year until at least 2024’.
While energy costs continue to rise in Australia, there are some government incentives available that perhaps some people are unaware of.
Energy Savings Scheme
The NSW Energy Savings Scheme (ESS) provides financial incentives to install energy efficient equipment and appliances in NSW households and businesses.
According to www.energysustainabilityschemes.nsw.gov.au, ‘Eligible upgrades for households and small businesses include: high efficiency or LED lighting upgrades; replacing electric or gas water heaters; installing or replacing existing air conditioners; replacing windows or doors with thermally efficient windows or doors; replacing pool pumps with high efficiency pool pumps; installing efficient showerheads; and draft proofing or sealing windows, doors, chimneys and exhaust fans’.
An Accredited Certificate Provider (ACP) or their representative must install the equipment and the full list of ACPs is online.
Additionally, an Australian Government Energy Price Comparison Service for households and small businesses is available. It is called Energy Made Easy, and is available at www.energymadeeasy.gov.au.
It compares prices on your existing electricity and gas usage with different providers.
Hans Lovejoy, editor
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
