There’s nothing natural about Australia’s ‘cost-of-living crisis’. It’s time we had systemic change

‘Thinking of the current problem as a “crisis” makes the moment seem transitory, more like an economic storm or bushfire to be weathered while absolving government of longer-term accountability for systemic failures,’ writes Peter Lewis. Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAP

The “cost-of-living crisis” has ushered in a feverish cycle of retail politics, where our elected representatives strive to prove both their empathy and utility by promising to end the hip pocket squeeze being felt by many Australians.

The Albanese government has made history winning a cost-of-living byelection; New South Wales has changed power in a contest where the hip pocket nerve was vigorously massaged; the upcoming federal budget will inevitably be framed around the issue as well.