Grim reality facing millions of Aussie families this Christmas
- Aussies need to tighten their belts this Christmas
- A staggering number will reduce the number of gifts
Four in 10 Australians will spend less on their Christmas lunches and dinners this year due to rising costs, according to a new poll.
The survey of 1,024 people in NSW in December found cost of living pressures have prompted 42 per cent of respondents to cut back on food spending over Christmas.
Another 56 percent said they would spend less on gifts.
More than half (53 percent) of respondents said their financial situation was worse than a year ago, and even those with household incomes above $150,000 (49 percent) are feeling the pressure.
Four in 10 Australians will spend less on their Christmas lunches and dinners this year due to rising costs, according to a new poll (stock image)
About 55 percent blamed the federal government for rising costs, along with the Reserve Bank of Australia (50 percent), Australian business and major corporations (47 percent) and the NSW government (36 percent).
Seven in 10 said their income had not kept pace with the cost of living, and residents living outside Sydney (59 percent) were more likely to say they had suffered financially.
Eight in ten respondents do not expect business to improve in the coming year and 37 percent expect business to worsen.
The survey was conducted by Pyxis Polling & Insights, the polling firm behind The Australian's Newspoll, and commissioned by Unions NSW.
NSW union secretary Mark Morey hit out at businesses and the central bank.
“While corporate Australia has boosted profits, 13 rate hikes in 18 months have pushed ordinary workers against the wall trying to make ends meet,” he said in a statement on Sunday.
The survey of 1,024 people in NSW in December found that cost of living pressures have prompted 42 per cent of respondents to cut back on food spending over Christmas
“Even people with moderate incomes are not safe from the price pain that is expected to last well into 2024.”
In a Christmas message with his wife Anna, NSW Premier Chris Minns acknowledged that many families were struggling this Christmas.
“But we also know that the people of this state are incredibly generous,” he said.
“So we want to thank you for donating gifts, food and other items to people who are less fortunate.”