Budgets Running on Fumes as Car Costs Outpace Inflation

High transport costs are fuelling household budget concerns with research revealing a surge of more than 10 percent over the course of a year. Figures from the Australian Automobile Association (AAA) showed households in three capital cities were spending more than $500 (US$328.6) a week on transport, and the average cost of driving a car and catching public transport soared to $458 (US$301) per week across the nation.  The findings came as NRMA analysis ranked Australian capital cities by fuel price, showing the cost of petrol had risen in all states during 2024. The AAA’s latest Transport Affordability Index showed household transport costs rose by 10.5 percent in the year to June, almost triple the consumer price index of 3.8 percent....