July 1 rises in fares and power bills among nasty shocks for consumers

July 1 rises in fares and power bills among nasty shocks for consumers

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politicians, judges and departmental heads will get a 2 per cent pay rise from today, boosting a backbencher’s pay above $200,000 a year.

But paltry pay rises in the private sector mean most workers will get a real cut in wages averaging 0.2 per cent.

Households will feel the hip-pocket pain of a 20 per cent increase in power prices from today.

The state government will give a $235 annual power rebate to low-income households, and a $556 water rebate for homeowners in Sydney.

Public transport fares will rise 2.4 per cent, and car registration charges will rise by 2.5 per cent starting today.

Drivers’ licence charges will rise between $2 and $4, with a 10-year licence to cost $334 from today.

Government pensions and welfare payments will not increase until September.

Rates for family benefit payments, which usually rise in July, have been frozen this year.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/ne...s/news-story/8fdb0cf14847b6272e4f915772a3173e

Bureaucrats and politicians get an effective 2% real wage increase, whereas other Australians receive a real cut in income of 0.2%, typical with all the belt tightening being done by the Australian Taxpayer while politicians live the high life!!!