Darwin Most Expensive Capital In Australia

The Territory Opposition are calling on the Martin Government to reinstate its quarterly grocery survey and name and shame the most expensive supermarkets in the Territory.

"At the same time the Chief Minister can also highlight where the cheapest groceries are to be bought,” says Terry Mills, Shadow Treasurer.

"We need to increase competition amongst the supermarkets.

"Today's Australian Bureau of Statistics figures for retail prices in Australian cities again have Darwin holding an unassailable, and unenviable, lead as the most expensive capital city in the country.”

Out of the 52 retail items on the list, Darwin is the most expensive place to shop for 18 of the goods and finishes second in another 11 categories.

A complete basket of goods costs $133.55 for Darwin, almost $20 more expensive than Brisbane ($114.09), Australia's cheapest city.

"That means a family spending $270 a week in Darwin is short changed by about $40 a week when compared with a similar family in Brisbane,” says Mr Mills.

"That's why so many families in Darwin are feeling the pinch.

"Unfortunately this Government has been missing in action on this most important of issues.

"This week's budget contained no plan for bringing down the cost of groceries in Darwin.

"In fact by linking power and water prices to Darwin's very high inflation rate the Government's one budget contribution has been to feed price rises of refrigerated goods.

"This Government needs to recognise that it has a responsibility to ensure that the people of the Territory aren't being price gouged on the necessities of life.”

2007-05-02