The real reason why everything suddenly became so expensive   :(
28/04/2023
Australian Unions
How have we landed in this mess? 

Three figure receipts from grocery shops have become normal. Full-time workers have joined the huge numbers of Australians struggling to find housing. And every time the numbers tick up at the petrol pump, you’re reminded why oil is called ‘black gold’.

Actually, we already know how we’ve landed in this mess. It’s profiteering: excess corporate profits are the main driver of how much extra everyday items cost. 

Despite this, CEOs and business lobbyists like to point at the mining sector as an exception and say that’s where all the price hikes are happening. But recent research from The Australia Institute debunks this.

Inflation is no accident
Other than a few industries still recovering from lockdowns (such as hospitality and the arts) non-mining industries’ profits are going strong. 

“Since end-2019, businesses across the non-mining portion of Australia’s economy have increased the prices they charge consumers above and beyond the costs of their own inputs,” states The Australia Institute report. 

“Those excessive price increases have contributed incrementally to inflation, and further skewed the distribution of income away from workers and toward businesses and their owners.”

Or to put it bluntly: major corporations have pumped up prices to rake in more of your money. 

These corporate giants then pretend they’re not intentionally lining their pockets with your wages. Instead, they throw up their hands and say innocently, “Well, who could have predicted this!”

And don’t be fooled by the news that the latest inflation figures have dropped: working people are still under intense cost-of-living pressures after 10 interest rate rises.

And if this all wasn’t cruel enough already, major corporations then turn around and refuse to lift wages for their lowest paid workers. 

Yes, that’s right. Major corporations have a long track record of refusing to increase the minimum wage, no matter how good their profits have been.



Where does that leave workers on minimum wage?
Once a year, the Annual Wage Review is a chance for union members to convince the Fair Work Commission to lift minimum wages. 

When it comes to necessities like housing, even workers on decent incomes are struggling to secure a roof over their heads. That means workers who rely on the minimum wage and Award wages are in an even worse position. 

With no signs of prices for basic items easing anytime soon, Australia’s lowest paid workers need a seven per cent increase to their wages. Especially when many of these employees work for the same companies who have been price-hiking to bulk up profits. 

Unlike massive profits, an increase to the minimum wage would have a negligible impact on inflation, according to the latest research from The Australia Institute. So, yes, companies can afford the seven per cent increase. 

Working people need a lifeline. Union members’ demand for a seven per cent increase to minimum wage is what is needed to keep heads above water.

Covid happened and the international borders closed in Australia. The need for workers became an issue after a few years. Our population went backwards. The elderly needed more carers. The unemployed and underemployed were paid double their welfare payments. A war broke out in Ukraine, and the Europeans decided to put a hold on importing Russian oil and/or gas.

It has been a costly last few years. We should be alright by next year.

Quote:

Since end-2019, businesses across the non-mining portion of Australia’s economy have increased the prices they charge consumers above and beyond the costs of their own inputs

By how much?

And this still doesn't mean that a shortage is not to blame for higher prices.

Trying to pay off the debt that coronavirus panic has created, would be my guess for inflated prices.

UnSubRocky wrote on May 2^nd, 2023 at 12:07pm:

Covid happened and the international borders closed in Australia. The need for workers became an issue after a few years. Our population went backwards. The elderly needed more carers. The unemployed and underemployed were paid double their welfare payments. A war broke out in Ukraine, and the Europeans decided to put a hold on importing Russian oil and/or gas. It has been a costly last few years. We should be alright by next year.

Or they were forced to by the terrorists that blew up that pipeline.
Rice is on record years ago saying this was going to happen.

That's the funny thing, the terrorists tell you what they're going to do years in advance.
Team Terrorists, Fkkk yeah.

freediver wrote on May 2^nd, 2023 at 5:50pm:

Quote: Since end-2019, businesses across the non-mining portion of Australia’s economy have increased the prices they charge consumers above and beyond the costs of their own inputs By how much? And this still doesn't mean that a shortage is not to blame for higher prices.

Go & do some shopping FD ..... prices are through the roof on everything.

A 750 gram Devondale Extra Soft Butter blend went from $7.50 to $9.95 - over $2 in one hit.
The 500 gram went from $5.50 to $7.50.

Tomatoes $9.70 a kg.

Price rises that would perhaps be 20c to 50c on items are going up by the dollar plus.

Gnads wrote on May 3^rd, 2023 at 11:01am:

freediver wrote on May 2nd, 2023 at 5:50pm: Quote: Since end-2019, businesses across the non-mining portion of Australia’s economy have increased the prices they charge consumers above and beyond the costs of their own inputs By how much? And this still doesn't mean that a shortage is not to blame for higher prices. Go & do some shopping FD ..... prices are through the roof on everything. A 750 gram Devondale Extra Soft Butter blend went from $7.50 to $9.95 - over $2 in one hit. The 500 gram went from $5.50 to $7.50. Tomatoes $9.70 a kg. Price rises that would perhaps be 20c to 50c on items are going up by the dollar plus.

Is that supposed to be an answer to my question?

What you you buy pre-covid for 20c? Are you sure you aren't thinking back to your childhood?

“price rises” not prices.

Are. So the increases are much higher than what they would of been, if they had been much lower?

Prices are jumping by big amounts instead of the smaller rises we are used to.

productivity rises in OZ are at record lows.
just over 1 %.

you cant put a trillion bucks into the economy (money trying to find something to buy)


and not increase productivity (make more things to buy)

without causing price rises.

its supplyn and demand.

if , for example, albo decides to hike jobseeker , then a few hundred thousand dudes have more cash in their wallet.

if they are on job sekker, they , by definition, arent producing anything


so you have extra money trying to buy stuff but no extra stuff.

so prices HAVE to rise.

if the reserve bank puts up interest rates and people have less cash to shop with, then when my cow gets turned into beef and goes to the supermarket, less people can buy it and so it fetches less.

raising interest rates reduces inflation

government spending increases inflation.

the only way to have a higher standard of living is to rpoduce more (productivity).

if i get up at 5 am and clear a paddock and grow more cattle, then i produce more and the price of beef drops ,


so there we have it

wage rises not linked to producing more are of no help in raising living standards

increased production is the only way to get standards of living to rise .

if you are seeing rising prices but not wage rises, then someone is being unproductive.

things like green energy , the NDIS, a lot of covid spending, day care for stay at home mums, military spending, public administration,   are unproductive spending

Jovial Monk wrote on May 3^rd, 2023 at 7:58pm:

Prices are jumping by big amounts instead of the smaller rises we are used to.

I prefer the way I said it.

I heard on the ABC landline show last week that
there has actually been a glut of beef on the market -
yet beef has been as high as $70 a kilo.
The supermarkets have been extorting money.
The farmers have made hardly a penny.
Coles and Safeway/Woolies are all racketeers:


https://media.gab.com/system/media_attachments/files/127/574/076/original/9d6ff962e8692de4.jpg

For the love of god Bobby, stop buying meat from the poopermarket.

I picked up two of these yesterday, put them in the freezer and will do them on Mothers Day.

https://i.ibb.co/YPjsPMZ/20230503-214515-copy-1024x498.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/9vFyW6z/20230503-214523-copy-1024x498.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/xhWNhdZ/20230503-214538-copy-1024x498.jpg

Gordon -

Still $50 per kilo - a rip off.

Bobby. wrote on May 3^rd, 2023 at 9:58pm:

Gordon - Still $50 per kilo - a rip off.

I got two tomahawks for $50 :)

Gordon wrote on May 3^rd, 2023 at 10:00pm:

Bobby. wrote on May 3rd, 2023 at 9:58pm: Gordon - Still $50 per kilo - a rip off. I got two tomahawks for $50 :)

Only because it's 1 day off the expiry date  5th May.
Will it be OK?

Bobby. wrote on May 3^rd, 2023 at 10:04pm:

Gordon wrote on May 3rd, 2023 at 10:00pm: Bobby. wrote on May 3rd, 2023 at 9:58pm: Gordon - Still $50 per kilo - a rip off. I got two tomahawks for $50 :) Only because it's 1 day off the expiry date  5th May. Will it be OK?

Best before is very different from use buy. Vac packed high quality meat from a shop with reliable refrigeration, you wouldn't know the diff.

Gordon wrote on May 3^rd, 2023 at 10:08pm:

Bobby. wrote on May 3rd, 2023 at 10:04pm: Gordon wrote on May 3rd, 2023 at 10:00pm: Bobby. wrote on May 3rd, 2023 at 9:58pm: Gordon - Still $50 per kilo - a rip off. I got two tomahawks for $50 :) Only because it's 1 day off the expiry date  5th May. Will it be OK? Best before is very different from use buy. Vac packed high quality meat from a shop with reliable refrigeration, you wouldn't know the diff.

Do you have a cat?

Give a small piece to the cat.
Cats won't eat meat that is off -
that's always been the best test I've ever had.

Gordon wrote on May 3^rd, 2023 at 10:08pm:

Bobby. wrote on May 3rd, 2023 at 10:04pm: Gordon wrote on May 3rd, 2023 at 10:00pm: Bobby. wrote on May 3rd, 2023 at 9:58pm: Gordon - Still $50 per kilo - a rip off. I got two tomahawks for $50 :) Only because it's 1 day off the expiry date  5th May. Will it be OK? Best before is very different from use buy. Vac packed high quality meat from a shop with reliable refrigeration, you wouldn't know the diff.

Can you see the “Date packed?”

Vac packed gives very high shelf life. I will visit the bulk butcher soon and buy a heap of meat, vac pack it. When I get my pressure canner I can can like bulk curried meat/veg.

freediver wrote on May 3^rd, 2023 at 5:54pm:

Gnads wrote on May 3rd, 2023 at 11:01am: freediver wrote on May 2nd, 2023 at 5:50pm: Quote: Since end-2019, businesses across the non-mining portion of Australia’s economy have increased the prices they charge consumers above and beyond the costs of their own inputs By how much? And this still doesn't mean that a shortage is not to blame for higher prices. Go & do some shopping FD ..... prices are through the roof on everything. A 750 gram Devondale Extra Soft Butter blend went from $7.50 to $9.95 - over $2 in one hit. The 500 gram went from $5.50 to $7.50. Tomatoes $9.70 a kg. Price rises that would perhaps be 20c to 50c on items are going up by the dollar plus. Is that supposed to be an answer to my question? What you you buy pre-covid for 20c? Are you sure you aren't thinking back to your childhood?

You should reread the post instead of trying to be a half smartarse.

I said 20c price rises .... not cost 20c.

Price increases of $1 to $2 per item post Covid ... in the last couple of months ....

is a phukkin rip off.

Have wages/salaries increased to meet those costs?

No they haven't.  ::)

freediver wrote on May 3^rd, 2023 at 7:07pm:

Are. So the increases are much higher than what they would of been, if they had been much lower?

You're just being a deliberate ass.

Gordon wrote on May 3^rd, 2023 at 9:55pm:

For the love of god Bobby, stop buying meat from the poopermarket. I picked up two of these yesterday, put them in the freezer and will do them on Mothers Day. https://i.ibb.co/YPjsPMZ/20230503-214515-copy-1024x498.jpg https://i.ibb.co/9vFyW6z/20230503-214523-copy-1024x498.jpg https://i.ibb.co/xhWNhdZ/20230503-214538-copy-1024x498.jpg

Why would you pay over $50 for 2 steaks with bone in .... which you can't eat.

And forget using "because I can" as a reason.

Take the bone weight out & you're paying more than $50 a kilo.

I'll buy a whole rib fillet - cut thick - for $50 a kilo but not with bone in.

Hope you have a dog.

I heard on the ABC landline show last week that
there has actually been a glut of beef on the market -
yet beef has been as high as $70 a kilo.
The supermarkets have been extorting money.
The farmers have made hardly a penny.
Coles and Safeway/Woolies are all racketeers:


https://media.gab.com/system/media_attachments/files/127/574/076/original/9d6ff962e8692de4.jpg

Why are you paying that amount when you could go to Woolworths for rump steak at $32/kg?

UnSubRocky wrote on May 4^th, 2023 at 4:38pm:

Why are you paying that amount when you could go to Woolworths for rump steak at $32/kg?

I don't buy it - I choose other food.

In the 1990s I used to feed my cat porterhouse steak 4 days per week.
I could get a nice lump of it for about $6 from the supermarket for her.
Not anymore - the price of beef is ridiculous.
My cat ate better than most people today.
She lived till  18 years old!

Still, you should be paying no more than $40/kg for rump steak. Don't bother with these "carbon neutral" tags. They are talking shite. Much like those "cage free" eggs. How do you know?

UnSubRocky wrote on May 4^th, 2023 at 4:48pm:

Still, you should be paying no more than $40/kg for rump steak. Don't bother with these "carbon neutral" tags. They are talking shite. Much like those "cage free" eggs. How do you know?

Even at $40/kg for rump steak they are extorting money from gullible people.
I won't pay that.

I am seeing Woolworths steaks at $28/kg. I would pay that. This Monday, I should be buying meat products for very cheap. I might even get some crumbed steak to eat, this coming week.

Gnads wrote on May 4^th, 2023 at 1:59pm:

freediver wrote on May 3rd, 2023 at 7:07pm: Are. So the increases are much higher than what they would of been, if they had been much lower? You're just being a deliberate ass.

I'm trying to get a sensible explanation about what you are trying to say. Surely whether they break it down into multiple smaller increases is not relevant.

freediver wrote on May 4^th, 2023 at 5:32pm:

Gnads wrote on May 4th, 2023 at 1:59pm: freediver wrote on May 3rd, 2023 at 7:07pm: Are. So the increases are much higher than what they would of been, if they had been much lower? You're just being a deliberate ass. I'm trying to get a sensible explanation about what you are trying to say. Surely whether they break it down into multiple smaller increases is not relevant.

So you think the $2 increases per item is going to be the last rise for a long time?

So bunging on 4 to 10 smaller rises in one hit will offset any future increases for a longer period?  ;D

Don't you get that people are doing it tough & that large rises like that put items they may normally buy out of their reach .... or in the least make them rationalise their shopping lists?

Just because money & affordability is not a problem for you doesn't mean it should be stiff shyte for others.

Are producers & suppliers getting their fair share of these increases? ::)

Quote:

So you think the $2 increases per item is going to be the last rise for a long time?

I think you are sprouting meaningless gibberish.

freediver wrote on May 6^th, 2023 at 10:16am:

Quote: So you think the $2 increases per item is going to be the last rise for a long time? I think you are sprouting meaningless gibberish.

You & I must be on a par then ...no?