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Cost of living spikes are pushing our living standards down. Will this affect our vote this year?  Watch Insight episode Tough Time$ on .

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In the space of two years, Deb Fryers went from enjoying a fulfilling, secure life to living in her car and feeling the brunt of .  
In July 2019, she was diagnosed with two terminal illnesses, which led to her giving up the job she loved in the film industry and selling her home.
By mid-2021, she was couch-surfing and sleeping in her car, before being accepted for social housing. 
At the last federal election in 2022, Deb voted for Anthony Albanese, believing he would assist those who were doing it tough. 
But now, she feels betrayed. 

“Albo said he was from social housing. Single mother. He got it. He hasn’t got it at all. I’m really angry,” Deb told Insight.

A woman in a white shirt looks at the camera with a neutral expression while her hand rests on her upper chest.

Deb believes the government hasn’t helped people enough who are really doing in tough. Source: Supplied

The money Deb gets on the disability support pension is not enough to cover her rent — which has increased twice in the past two years — and medical expenses.  

“I have a complex medical condition. I have to pay $130 on a Saturday if I want to go to the doctor’s. I can’t go. I rely highly on every bureaucratic system and I’m squeezing every part of it out. It’s still not enough,” she said.
Refusing to vote Labor again, Deb is looking into the policies of teal independents and the Greens. 

“I have to be really cautious about who’s best going to represent me and the other people in my situation,” Deb said. 

‘We don’t go out really’

Laura Wilson and her partner Mitch have felt the financial pinch since she gave birth to twins then experienced postpartum complications.
To be closer to Laura’s mum, the couple sold their Brisbane townhouse and moved to NSW. After multiple large rent increases, Mitch’s parents helped them buy a home, but the couple continue to struggle, with Laura unable to work full time.
“We would love to be having psychology sessions for our mental health, GP visits and dentistry. We’ve had to scale back on that and prioritise our kids’ health,” Laura said.
“We don’t go out really … we make it nice at home. We scale back.

“The biggest thing is the dwindling of our safety net because things do go wrong.”

A young family of a woman, a man and two young children play with toys on the floor.

With Laura unable to work full time, Laura and Mitch fear they don’t have an adequate financial safety net. Source: Supplied

For Laura, accessible and affordable healthcare and dental care is a priority.

She has traditionally been a Labor voter, and says this is unlikely to change in the upcoming election.

“Particularly with my values … when people need help … that should be available to them.”

Millennials to speak loudly

Australians are suffering the worst decline in living standards since the 1950s, with the fall in real disposable income during the recent inflation crisis sharper than at any period dating back to 1959 — and greater than both the 1990-91 and 1982-83 recessions, according to government analysis of ABS data verified by economists.
This, combined with , has considerably hurt Australian households, roughly a third of which are repaying mortgages. But while inflation may be easing,.

Many households are feeling mounting pressure.
Behavioural economist Evan Lucas believes world trends are favouring the Coalition in the upcoming election.  
“Being an incumbent right now is death. If you look around the world, first-term governments are falling everywhere,” Evan told Insight.

“On what reason? The cost of living.”

Being an incumbent right now is death. If you look around the world, first-term governments are falling everywhere.

Behavioural economist Evan Lucas

The Coalition currently holds a 51-49 lead over Labor in the two-party-preferred vote, according to the latest Newspoll. The primary vote shows 39 per cent support for the Coalition and 32 per cent for Labor, with both major parties gaining ground at the expense of the crossbench.
Evan says the election — — will be heavily influenced by millennials and gen Zs, who will outnumber baby boomers at the ballot box for the first time.
Currently around 30 to 45 years old, millennials, also known as gen Y, are in the most expensive era of their lives, supporting families and businesses.
“Their family income becomes numero uno in terms of their priority. Traditionally, those groups would lean progressive, but the polls are showing they’re starting to switch and not necessarily to the Coalition.”
Evan suggests it’s the growing numbers of independent candidates who could stand to gain.

“Millennial and gen Zs are not traditional. And although they’re changing, they’re not changing or flipping their vote to traditional parties.”

Hopes politicians will listen
Rohan De Britt works as an area manager for Woolworths. He says he’s witnessed the changes in people’s shopping habits.

“People that might usually come in with a trolley … [are] coming in with baskets. And they are looking for the yellow-ticket items … the cheaper specials. And they are shopping around from different stores to get the best deal because the budget has shrunk.”

A woman carrying a shopping basket at a grocery store

Rohan, who works at Woolworths, says people are buying less and hunting out the specials. Source: AAP / Yui Mok/PA/Alamy

Historically a Liberal voter, the last time Rohan went to the polls, he changed things up. 

“I voted Labor in the last election. I thought Albanese had some great ideas, but he didn’t follow through.

“But this time I will not be doing that. I’m going to go for the Liberals. I’m hoping that they will listen to the everyday Australian and actually target the real problems localised to us,” Rohan said.

Meanwhile, Queenslander Chris Booy is working 60 hours per week and holding down three jobs to make ends meet.
Working in insurance by day, a food delivery driver after hours, and keeping across his YouTube channel, Chris is doing all he can to get onto the property ladder. 
“Ever since I was a kid, I was told if you get a job, you work hard, you get a house. And I followed that mantra through,” Chris said.

“My dad was 30 when he settled down and got his first house. My grandfather was 25. I’m at 35 right now and I can’t get in.”

A man in a black T shirt looks at the camera with a neutral expression on his face.

Chris is holding down three jobs and earning more than he ever has before, but says he’s never felt more broke. Source: Supplied

Earning more than he ever has yet feeling more broke than ever before, Chris is feeling despondent about the upcoming election. 

“I think a lot of people have lost a lot of faith in our politicians, in our political parties at this point. So whoever screws me the least is probably going to get my vote.”
Chris believes Australians will cast their votes based on four things. 
“It’s going to come down to cost of living crisis. It’s going to come down to housing affordability. It’s going to come down to the energy crisis and it’s going to come down to immigration policy. Those four things need to be addressed. The entire system is under strain.
“Now we’re at the crunch point. We need change now.”
And for more stories head to , hosted by Kumi Taguchi. From sex and relationships to health, wealth, and grief Insightful offers deeper dives into the lives and first-person stories of former guests from the acclaimed TV show, Insight.
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