A young woman has questioned why Aussies are not taking action and demanding more from the government as the cost-of-living crisis spirals out of control.
Crystal Skye, 24, laid bare the grim reality facing millions as soaring rents, sky-high fuel prices and an unattainable property market cripple the country.
‘I’m pissed off and I don’t understand why Australians aren’t more pissed off,’ she said in an expletive-laden tirade.
‘We’re voicing it to the people we can voice it to – our family, friends, colleagues – but we’re not actually doing anything to show our government that we’re so angry about it.’
Ms Skye explained she was $10,000 in debt, felt like she had ‘no support at all’, and failed her first year at university because she needed to work full-time.
‘I’m 24, broke, and I’ve never had savings. I’ve only ever worked three jobs, two jobs minimum,’ she said.
‘Why are we all just sitting here taking it?’
Ms Skye said she was sick and tired of the older generation blaming Millennials and Gen Z Aussies for ‘wasting’ money on coffees’, when that wasn’t the case.
Crystal Skye, 24, laid bare the grim reality facing millions as soaring rents, sky-high fuel prices and an unattainable property market cripple the country
She highlighted the relentless climb in living costs, noting that fuel prices are ‘through the ceiling’ and grocery bills are rising with little end in sight.
The Iran conflict has prompted the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a global supplier of oil, sparking a fuel crisis, with petrol stations running out of diesel and prices soaring above $3 a litre.
Ms Skye revealed she is living in a granny flat in another person’s backyard for $425 a week, a scenario she says is emblematic of a generation trapped in substandard housing.
‘Interest rates go up. That means my rent’s gonna get put up even more, and I can’t do sh*t to stop that. I can’t afford it,’ she added.
The Reserve Bank increased the cash rate by 0.25 percentage points in March, bringing the figure up to 4.1 per cent.
When combined with February’s increase, mortgage holders with an average loan will be paying roughly $180 more each month than they were in December.
Ms Skye’s tirade took aim at generational inequality, calling out the wealth disparity between young Australians and older generations.
‘Baby boomers, they’re the wealthiest generation to exist. Why? Because everything was peanuts when they bought it,’ she said.
The Iran conflict has prompted the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a global supplier of oil, sparking a fuel crisis, with petrol stations running out of diesel and prices soaring above $3 a litre
Ms Skye argued young people are often accused of wasting money on things like coffee, but most are simply working relentlessly without reward
Ms Skye argued young people are often accused of wasting money on things like coffee, but most are simply working relentlessly without reward.
‘I work hard. My back hurts, my feet hurt. I have ugly feet,’ she said.
‘You know why I have ugly feet? Because they’re always in shoes. Because I’m always walking, standing, and f***ing working.’
She accused the Albanese government of prioritising international affairs over the welfare of Australians.
‘Albanese’s got more priorities lying in every other f**king country than he does for the own people that live in his country that he is in charge of helping and supporting and guiding us. You’re guiding us into financial ruin and disaster.’
Ms Skye warned: ‘We are watching our lives get smaller every single day. We’re working longer hours for less reward, and yet, millions of us are still refusing to look at the alternative.’
She called on young Australians to take action, saying they need to push for change both individually and collectively.
She said that by speaking out and demanding reforms her generation can hope for a future with affordable housing, financial security, and stable work opportunities.
Her message resonated with many who feel disenfranchised.
‘I’m on $140,000 per year and I manage to only save about $120 a week with fuel prices and rent and bills. I don’t know how anyone is surviving these days,’ one wrote.
Another added: ‘I used to think earning $100k a year meant that you’re rich. The older I get, the more i realise is that is still not enough to live comfortably and without constant financial stress.’
