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Cost of Living

Is the Australian dream even further out of reach for people with a disability?

After losing his sight at the age of six, Ben Gritt's goal of owning his own home always felt out of reach. He's not alone. 
ABC News Current

The higher cost of doing business has analysts 'downbeat' about what it means for the economy

Australia's publicly listed companies are opening their books, but higher interest rates, moderating inflation and a slowing economy has analysts forecasting modest half-year results for big business.
Tall office buildings of varying heights seen from above on a slightly cloudy day.

Town's op shop offers a place to chat for the lonely and those new to town

Margreet Diment knows what it's like not having a space to relax and chat. So she opened an enterprise in Bordertown to help the many migrants affected by the housing shortage.
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A woman with long white hair stands at a shop counter with items for sale behind

Electricity industry 'riddled' with questionable prices while insurance customers 'treated like second-grade citizens'

Millions of Australians face ever-increasing monthly and yearly bills, and increasingly, they are related to services many deem necessary.
Lady holding a wallet with 20 dollar bills.

Rise in extreme weather events putting huge strain on food charities helping struggling families

Food charities helping struggling families put food on the table can no longer rely on excess produce being available as farmers count their own cost of extreme weather events.
A handful of carrots.

Sick of doomscrolling and being 'constantly on call', these Australians switched to a 'dumbphone'

With mobile phone use on the rise, some people are turning to simpler devices to help them cut down on their screen time.
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A close up of a person's hands, one holding an iPhone and one holding a small flip phone.

Who gets to stay above the flood line in Brisbane? This question consumes Phoebe Paradise

Brisbane artist Phoebe Paradise turns the tension between Queenslander houses and their environment into works of gothic, sci-fi art. 
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Phoebe is seen in a polaroid smiling with her tongue out, overlaid on top of an image of her Queenslander installation.

Queensland has announced major changes to address the state's housing crisis. Here's what's changing

The Queensland government has made several announcements in a bid to address growing concerns around housing affordability and supply. Here's a breakdown of some of the key changes in the works.
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Rent sign of real estate agency outside an apartment building in Brisbane

analysis:Australia is awash with oligopolies and the impact is on your bank account

A report into soaring grocery prices, rising energy bills and steep airfares will be released on Wednesday. Its findings and recommendations will cause a headache for some of the country's biggest and most powerful companies, writes Adele Ferguson.
A person shopping at Australian grocery store, with a basket full of sparkling water, fruits and vegetables.

Why is overseas travel so expensive and how can I sneak in a low-cost getaway?

Statistics show a majority of Australians are prioritising travel despite the biting cost of living, even if that means tightening the belt in other areas. We ask experts what it would take for prices to fall and if there are ways to be a savvy traveller.
World map

analysis:Buying a renovated home? You could be up for an extra 10 per cent GST, but it's a grey area

If you're buying a home that has been "substantially renovated" you may have to pay GST. The problem home buyers face is that what qualifies as a "substantial renovation" is uncertain, writes Christine Peacock.
Two-storey white house.

There's a new scholarship to help kids from the bush afford boarding school — the problem is getting one

About 4,000 kids from remote Australia rely on boarding schools to finish their education, but even at more affordable schools, fees are climbing. The federal government has offered a new scholarship to help, but only for a fraction of students from remote parts of the country.
Boy with cowboy hat looks pensive.

How does an expensive school uniform help kids learn? Spoiler: It doesn't

Expensive school uniforms with logos and monograms do nothing to help kids learn, so why are we paying so much at the uniform shop?
New prep-aged children sit on floor in circle in prep classroom playing barrel of monkeys game at Spring Mountain State School.

analysis:Jacinta Allan inherited Daniel Andrews's agenda, but she's brought a noticeable change in style

Since Jacinta Allan took Victoria's top job four months ago, she's put her own stamp on the office. But the state's 49th premier faces the same challenges as her high-profile predecessor Daniel Andrews.
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Jacinta Allan sitting across from Richard, engrossed in conversation.

Expert says you're 'far more likely' to die today than win Australia's largest ever lotto jackpot

Australians are readying for the country's biggest-ever lotto jackpot, but the astronomical odds of winning have prompted experts to issue warnings to people dreaming of striking it rich.
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A collection of old photos of people celebrating Lotto wins.

analysis:Albanese goes all in on Labor's rejigged tax cuts, while cracks form in the Coalition

After unveiling his re-jigged tax plan last week, Anthony Albanese has conducted five press conferences, eight radio interviews and two TV interviews — the kind of media blitz usually reserved for winning an election, writes David Speers. 
A man in an orange tie and a black and white suit stands at a podium.

Allegra Spender speaks to 7.30 about tax reform

Allegra Spender came into parliament on the independent teal wave, identifying tax reform as one of her biggest priorities. She speaks to 7.30.
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ABC News Current
Duration: 9 minutes 12 seconds

'Cut and paste': Chief minister lashes opposition's free public transport, school vouchers pre-election pledge

The Canberra Liberals announce a $65 million cost-of-living package in the form of school and sport vouchers and rebates for car registration and electricity.
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Primary school students

Why some of the poorest Australians are paying higher prices for their groceries

A mother-of-four in the Northern Territory says it makes more sense for her to drive 150 kilometres to a larger town than shop for groceries locally.
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A checkout stacked with groceries including tomato sauce and shampoo

Why is an Australian tomato more expensive than a can flown around the world?

Shoppers have seen the price of local fruit and veg skyrocket, but canned produce remains relatively cheap. One expert says there are several worrying reasons for this. 
A woman inspects a tomato with a can of tomatoes in her other hand

Homelessness now 'status quo' for low-income Queenslanders, as Brisbane records highest rent, energy hikes

In Queensland last year, fuel prices jumped 13.9 per cent and gas and other household fuels surged 12.9 per cent.
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A woman in a grocery isle of fruit and vegetables

Fed-up Aussie farmers shun supermarket giants and sell direct to consumers

Some Australian producers turn their backs on the major supermarkets because of what they say are unfair prices at the farm gate.
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A middle-aged man kneels in a field holding three freshly-picked zucchinis.

The picturesque Australian town where locals can’t afford to live

Apollo Bay is a tourist mecca whose population explodes roughly 10 times in the peak visitor season. But locals and workers without deep pockets say they're struggling to stay, exacerbating the pressures on those who remain year-round.
The view of a coastal town settled on a crescent-shaped bay.

Farmers relieved ACCC will investigate supermarkets but say problem goes beyond pricing

Farmers say the current food supply chain model is a "broken system" that gives supermarkets too much power and long-term solutions are needed.
A shopping trolley full of essentials items like fruit, water, and eggs

The ACCC is going to investigate supermarket prices. Here's what the watchdog can and can't do

The ACCC can't change the prices supermarkets charge. But it can take them to court if they're breaking the laws in the Competition and Consumer Act. 
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A sign for Woolworths on top of another for Coles