The Aporia
Rojahn, M., & Lusted, P. (2026, September 27). Canberrans weigh up cost of living and pet ownership as another rate hike looms. ABC News (AU). https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-27/act-canberra-small-businesses-cost-of-living-rspca-pet-surrender/107199270
Rojahn, Madeleine, and Peter Lusted. “Canberrans weigh up cost of living and pet ownership as another rate hike looms.” ABC News (AU), 27 Sept. 2026, https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-27/act-canberra-small-businesses-cost-of-living-rspca-pet-surrender/107199270.
Rojahn, Madeleine, and Peter Lusted. “Canberrans weigh up cost of living and pet ownership as another rate hike looms.” ABC News (AU), September 27, 2026. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-27/act-canberra-small-businesses-cost-of-living-rspca-pet-surrender/107199270.
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In short: The Canberra Business Chamber warns that small businesses in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) will be significantly impacted by upcoming interest rate hikes from the Reserve Bank of Australia, as well as property rate increases in Canberra. Consumers are cutting back on spending, with some people surrendering their pets to animal shelters due to escalating living costs. The RBA is set to raise interest rates next week to address inflation concerns, despite the economic strain this will place on local businesses and residents.