The rising cost of food is a Labor-made problem

The escalating cost of food is continuing to bite into Australian household budgets, with new figures showing grocery prices are on the rise.
Inflation increased by 1.9 over the past quarter, or 7.8 per cent over 12 months to December, 2022. It’s the biggest annual increase since 1990.
Leader of The Nationals David Littleproud said alarmingly, food prices continued to escalate and were one of the fastest growing costs.
Food and non-alcoholic beverages have increased by an enormous 9.2 per cent over 12 months.
Bread and cereals have increased by 12.2 per cent over 12 months, meat and seafoods by 8.2 per cent and dairy by 14.9 per cent.
The price of fruit and vegetables is also up by 8.5 per cent over 12 months. Mr Littleproud said the increased cost of food was a Labor-made problem.
“Families are hurting right now and every time they get their increased grocery docket, they should see Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s face on it, because Labor is behind these escalating prices,” Mr Littleproud said.
“Australia needs 172,000 workers to get food from paddock to plate but Labor scrapped the Ag Visa.
“Labor’s poor decision means farmers can’t hire the workers they need. As a result, farmers are not able to plant or produce as much food. Common sense tells you when supply goes down, prices go up, which families are seeing right now at the grocery store.
“The rising cost of energy in food production is also being passed onto families, which is another contributing factor. We need a National Energy Summit to address escalating power bills, which impacts all areas of the agriculture sector and is also forcing families to pay more for their food.
“Labor needs to back our agriculture industry and help ease the cost of living crisis. Families are crying out for reprieve and I urge Labor to take action in 2023.”