Another hit to household budgets

News that average water bills are rising by $40 after a decade of steep increases in the price of water is another blow to households struggling under the weight of cost of living increases.

When added with yesterday’s $70 increase in motor vehicle registration costs many South Australia’s are already $100 worse off well before a horror state budget is brought down

“Today’s increase means water bills have risen by a disgraceful 230 per cent under the Weatherill Labor Government,” said Shadow Minister for Water and the River Murray Michelle Lensink.

“The average household will now pay almost $600 more each year for water than they were in 2002 and Adelaide has the highest capital city water charges in the nation.

“Little wonder the total number of SA Water hardship customers increased from 1,445 in January 2012 to 3,618 by June 2013 – an increase of 150 per cent since the beginning of 2012.

“The Labor Government’s decision to double the size of the $2.2 billion desalination plant against independent advice has driven up water prices and increased cost of living pressures.

“The reality is that increasing cost of living pressures are a by-product of a mismanaged economy.

“Under Premier Weatherill, SA leads the nation in an unenvied category – we still have the highest water prices in Australia and South Australians are continuing to foot the bill for 12 years of financial mismanagement.”