Sebastian Calderon, Murray Pioneer

Recently released data revealed price increases across a range of items, including those in the Riverland, adding extra pressure on household budgets during the current cost-of-living crisis.

The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data, from December 2024, revealed a significant increase in the prices of common grocery items:

• 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.

Chaffey MP Tim Whetstone said “here in the Riverland, Easter is a time for family and visiting our region is a long-held tradition for many”.

“This year the cost of living is hitting hard and when the cost of basics like bread and chocolate goes up by 20 to 30 per cent, some will be forced to choose between tradition and affordability,” Mr Whetstone said.

“We shouldn’t have to choose between an Easter celebration and covering the weekly shop. Sadly, the current government doesn’t understand regional pressures.

“Despite the challenges, our proud regional communities will welcome visitors to the Riverland to enjoy our local produce and warm hospitality.

“Supporting our small businesses and local events helps keep our community healthy, and there’s no better time to experience all the Riverland and Mallee has to offer”

“Our region has some of the best, and most unique camping locations in Australia, and I remind anyone who is camping here to leave their campsites as they find them, take their rubbish home and leave the natural environment untouched.

“The Riverland is open and ready to welcome you this long weekend, and I encourage everyone to take advantage of the four-day weekend.”

Opposition leader 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.”

Treasurer Stephen Mullighan said “in the last State Budget, the Government delivered a $266.2m cost-of-living relief package targeted to South Australians most in need of support”.

“In total over its three budgets, the government has committed over $800m of additional cost-of-living measures to support South Australians most in need,” Mr Mullighan said.

“The most recent budget included an additional one-off Cost of Living Concession payment of $243.90 paid in June last year, effectively doubling the concession for the year, as well as doubling the existing Cost of Living Relief Concession payment from $127.80 to $255.60 for eligible households.

“Families with school children benefited from the material and services subsidy of $200 per public school student, and the doubling of the School Sports Vouchers initiative to $200.

“We have abolished stamp duty for First Home Buyers who build or purchase a new property.

“Small businesses were also supported with $30m of upgrades to their premises to cut their energy bills.”

This article appeared in Murray Pioneer, 16 April 2025.