Elderly in the cold amid cost crisis

The cost-of-living crisis is forcing elderly and vulnerable South Australians to sacrifice heating and cooling to save money, according to a prominent Adelaide air conditioning business.

Morphett Air, based in Park Holme, said the number of enquiries it’s receiving for maintenance and repairs is down 30 per cent on this time last year.

“We are seeing a very considerable drop in business as customers choose to make tough decisions around how they spend their money,” owner Shane Rawson said.

“We know this is leading to some people going without heating during the coldest winter months and that is very concerning.

“Recently we have resorted to providing some services free of charge to existing customers who we fear are particularly vulnerable.

“The last thing we want to see is an elderly person sitting in a freezing house because they can’t afford to get their heater serviced or repaired.”

Mr Rawson said the downturn in business is having a significant impact on his bottom line, as his overheads continue to rise.

“Now is a very difficult time to be a small business owner in South Australia – our costs keep going up while our customers are spending less, and that is a very dangerous combination,” he said.

State Liberal Leader Ashton Hurn said people and businesses are feeling the squeeze in South Australia.

“South Australia has long endured a reputation of being an affordable place, but unfortunately that’s changing - and not just for families, but businesses too,” Mrs Hurn said.

“It’s very concerning that people are not only having to ration the use of their heaters but are now struggling to afford essential repairs when they break down.

“All that has a ripple effect because businesses like Morphett Air care for their community and want to help – but they also have rising bills to pay.

“We are in a vicious cycle where small businesses are being squeezed from both sides – their customers have less money to spend, and their operating costs are going through the roof.”

Mrs Hurn said the Malinauskas Labor Government can help both businesses and customers by adopting the Liberals’ plan for a wholesale review of red tape, taxes, fees and charges.

“Lowering red tape and taxes for small businesses will leave more money in their pockets to keep their pricing down and potentially pay their staff higher wages,” she said.

“We want to look after hard-working South Australians and make sure our state rewards the self starters and those willing to have a crack.”