How the cost of living crisis is stealing Christmas for Queenslanders

The pressure is on this Christmas as Queenslanders deal with a cost of living crisis.

Sharon Kitchen buys groceries ahead of a low-key Christmas.

Mackay families are paring back on buying goodies, forgoing private health coverage and swapping their sunnies and boardshorts for a shirt and tie as the cost of living crisis tightens its grip.

And for many, the pressure of rising inflation combined with Christmas, has turned this festive season into a low key event.

An RACQ survey found that 70 per cent of Queenslanders were worried about spending money on their summer holiday in 2023 and that one in five will be working over the holiday break as they “can’t afford to take time off.”

“It’s just constant” Mackay resident Sharon Kitchen said.

“My husband’s working more this year and spending less time at home.

“Everything's going up in price … my groceries have gone from $150 to almost $300”

RACQ’s survey was released on December 6 the day after the Reserve Bank of Australia announced interest rates would remain unchanged at 4.35 per cent.

RBA Governor for Monetary Policy Michele Bullock said “bringing inflation back to the target range of 2 to 3 per cent (is) looking slower than earlier forecast”.

Reserve Bank of Australia Governor for Monetary Policy states that “High inflation is weighing on people’s real incomes” going into the holiday season. Picture: Aaron Francis / The Australian

“Returning inflation to target within a reasonable time frame remains the Board’s priority” Ms Bullock said.

But for the 20 per cent of Queenslanders who will be working over the Christmas holiday, this means very little.

Mackay Grandmother Allison Sabbo had just finished her week’s grocery shopping.

“We don’t buy as many goodies,” Mrs Sabbo said.

“We can’t buy the grandkids as nice presents this year.”

While for some Queenslanders the cost of living crisis has impacted their holiday plans and Christmas shopping, for others there have been more dire implications.

“I’ve been pushed into retirement because of (the cost of living crisis).” Mackay resident Kevin Edwards said.

“I’ve cancelled my private health insurance, can’t go out at all, and now I’m on Jobseeker.

“I have no plans this year.”