Young people punished for high inflation
Young people punished for high inflation | Australian Greens Skip to main content Search Get Involved Join Donate Our plan Tax the 1% Tackle the cost of living Healthcare for all Fix the housing crisis Strong climate action Policy principles & aims Our team Federal MPs State/territory MPs Officeholders Media releases Take action Volunteer Donate Issues & campaigns Events Greens Shop Leave a bequest Our movement About the Greens Become a member Jobs Green Magazine All news Get Involved Join Donate Search Our plan Toggle Tax the 1% Tackle the cost of living Healthcare for all Fix the housing crisis Strong climate action Policy principles & aims Our team Toggle Federal MPs State/territory MPs Officeholders Media releases Take action Toggle Volunteer Donate Issues & campaigns Events Greens Shop Leave a bequest Our movement Toggle About the Greens Become a member Jobs Green Magazine All news Young people punished for high inflation 2026-05-27 New CPI data today shows inflation remains high at 4.2% (in the 12 months to April 2026), which is further bad news for young people already facing high unemployment rates.
Housing was a main driver of inflation which increased by 6.3% over the same period. Youth unemployment is now at 11.1 per cent, the highest since October 2021, with economists warning of further rises. Young people are being squeezed by the higher cost of living: Rising rents, higher supermarket prices, mounting HECS debts, and wages that don’t keep up with inflation.
The Greens say Labor is failing young people and they need to stop being punished. Lines attributable to Greens spokesperson for finance, employment and workplace relations Senator Barbara Pocock: “Young people are the canary in the coal mine in the labour market. They are the ones who are most vulnerable to inflation.
“Labor talked a big game on the budget but they over-promised and under-delivered for young people. “With 40% of young renters in major capital cities spending more than 30% of their income on rent, they have little left for food, health, fuel or other essentials. “Young people aren’t causing inflation but they’re being punished for a fuel crisis driven by corporate profiteering and the US-Netanyahu illegal war.
“Young people are more financially vulnerable to inflation because they don't have a buffer and have to fork out more money on the cost of living. “There was nothing in the budget for renters. A temporary freeze on rent increases during the fuel crisis would help protect young people from inflation.
“The Federal Government must coordinate a national rent freeze and a ban on evictions during the fuel crisis to give young people doing it tough the security they need." MEDIA CONTACT: Charlotta Lomas - 0466 339 862 Facebook for the Australian Greens YouTube for the Australian Greens X for the Australian Greens Instagram for the Australian Greens Bluesky for the Australian Greens Privacy Members website Your safety Contact us Our plan Tax the 1% Tackle the cost of living Healthcare for all Fix the housing crisis Strong climate action In your language 2025 policy platform Policy principles & aims Our team Federal MPs State/territory MPs Officeholders Federal portfolios Federal media releases Take action Volunteer Donate Issues & campaigns Upcoming events Greens Shop Leave a bequest Green Magazine All news Our movement About the Greens Become a member Jobs Members website State/territory parties Contact us The Greens acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture.
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