Cost of Living Crisis: Then and Now - A 1967 Australian Family's Struggle Echoes Today

Australia: Then and Now - A stark comparison of low-income family living in 1967 and 2025. In a recent video by ABC Australia, viewers were presented with a stark comparison between the financial realities of a low-income Australian family in 1967 and their modern-day counterparts. The video uses archival footage to show the Conway family, whose weekly income of $41 in 1967 is equivalent to $656 today. The video notes that with child endowment, their total income was $728. The family spent $7.50 to $8 on food weekly, equivalent to $120-$128 today. The Conways paid $9.80 in rent, which translates to $157 today. This leaves $240 today for other expenses. The video concludes by showing the father's response to a question about a decent wage: "About $30 a week," which is equivalent to $1022 today. The video's simple presentation effectively communicates the significant changes in the cost of living and sparks reflection on the challenges faced by low-income families across generations. While the video uses clickbait phrases, its core message is undeniably relevant and thought-provoking.