The Nationals tour Orange in cost-of-living crisis

Leader of The Nationals David Littleproud and Senator Ross Cadell are touring the Orange area, listening to locals about their cost-of-living crisis concerns.
Mr Littleproud said it was important the region was being heard by The Nationals, as the price of food, fuel and everyday expenses continued to climb.
“Senator Cadell and myself have spoken to small businesses in Summer Street and locals in Orange, who are really struggling with the cost-of-living crisis,” Mr Littleproud said.
“The Nationals are working hard for our regional, rural and remote towns and will continue to make sure locals in Orange feel supported and heard.
“Families and businesses struggling with the cost-of-living crisis are being let down by an out of touch Labor government, who wasted $450 million on the failed Voice Referendum that the Prime Minister was told to abandon.
“Labor promised a $275 reduction in power bills, but instead, electricity is up 18.2 per cent, gas is up 28 per cent and food is up 8.2 per cent. The Coalition will have a clear energy policy at the next election that will go to the heart of energy bills, including nuclear technology.
“Interest rates have increased 12 times since Labor got into office. Locals in Orange might try to cut back on some expenses but they still can’t avoid an increase in their food and electricity costs.
“Labor has also taken away the tools our farmers in the Central West need to produce food and fibre, by scrapping the Ag visa.
“Australia’s top peak food industry bodies warned that agriculture required an additional 172,000 workers, yet only around 16,000 Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) workers have come in since Labor got into office.
“When supply goes down, prices go up, which is why every time locals in Orange receive their grocery docket, it should have Anthony Albanese’s face on it.
“The Nationals have also been calling for an Australian Competition and Consumer Commission inquiry into meat prices, to try and ensure supermarkets are passing on reduced sheep and cattle prices.”
Senator Ross Cadell said only a future Coalition government with a Nationals MP in Calare could help to ease cost-of-living pressures.
“A future Coalition government, with a Nationals MP in the Central West, will put an end to Labor’s bad policies which continue to drive up inflation and cost-of-living,” Senator Cadell said.
“A Coalition Government with a Nationals MP in the electorate of Calare will also allow pensioners and veterans to work more without it affecting their pension entitlements and support first home buyers to access their superannuation to invest in their first home.”