Why empty KFCs are a sign of crisis trends now
An empty KFC drive-through at 5.30pm on a Friday night has become the latest indicator of Australia's cost-of-living crisis.
Keith Pitt, the Nationals MP for Bundaberg in regional Queensland, told Sky his constituents are feeling the pinch amid yet another rate hike by the Reserve Bank of Australia.
Mr Pitt called the RBA's Tuesday announcement - taking the cash rate to an 11-year high of 3.85 per cent - a 'kick in the shins for mortgage holders', noting that families are increasingly ditching take-out in an attempt to keep afloat.
'Including me,' he added. 'This is what happens when inflation is not under control.'
Mr Pitt said he can see the ramifications of the crisis driving through the streets of his own neighbourhood, in what economists describe as the 'sausages and mash effect'.
'I call it the KFC drive-through (effect). Here, my guys don't have a lot of disposable income. Friday night they might go for a fish and chips or some KFC,' he said.
But in a recent drive-by of the local fast food chain, Mr Pitt realised the store was completely empty.
The Reserve Bank of Australia has surprised the experts by raising interest rates by 0.25 percentage points, taking the cash rate to 3.85 per cent
There was not a single car in the drive-through at 5.30pm on a Friday evening - a time when it used to be teeming with people.
'People are really hurting,' he said.
'To me, that says they're struggling and they don't have a lot of room to spend.'
Mr Pitt said the blame should be placed squarely on the shoulders of Treasurer Jim Chalmers, who is now also facing calls from Greens Senator Nick McKim to 'step in' and overrule the RBA.
'If you want to look at who is at fault, have a talk
