Due to the fourfold rise in parking rates since 2001, Brisbane is now the most expensive place to park throughout Australia for one hour, particularly at its commercial business district. However, Sydney still retained the title of overall most expensive parking city.

The RACQ, Queensland's motoring body, found that one-hour parking in Sydney is at $27.94 which is 5 per cent higher than Sydney which charges $26.71. A far third place is Melbourne which charges $17.08 for short-term parking.

RACQ spokesman Michael Roth said over 60 per cent of Brisbane parking charges are just for two hours. It translated into parking fees of $42.31 for those who went to the CBD to watch a movie, shop or stay in the area for a short period. For those who parked for four hours, the bill is at $65.71.

However, for parking between two and four hours, it is still more expensive in Sydney where the average rate ranges between $51.35 and $72.25, respectively.

While urban residents in Australia are suffering from spiraling costs, including higher parking prices, residents of Queensland are expected to get relief from soaring cost of living beginning July 1.

It is because of measures introduced by the state government which includes freezing the standard domestic electricity tariff, freezing car registration for the first term of Premier Campbell Newman, removal of the waste tax and reintroduction of the stamp duty concessions for principal places of residence.

The freeze on electricity tariff is expected to save Queenslanders an average of $120 while the restoration of the stamp duty concessions would save them up to $7,000 on a family home and $3,000 for a medium-sized restaurant.

"Prior to the election, we pledged to do everything possible to reduce the pressure on household budgets.... We have already started delivering on that commitment with the Cost of Living Bill - one of the very first bills we introduced into parliament, providing real hip-pocket relief for Queenslanders." 9 News quoted Mr Newman.

However, the hip pockets of 3,000 contract staff were also hit after the employees were terminated on Friday. Mr Newman blamed the unions for the job losses because they were not willing to negotiate for the redeployment of permanent employees.

The new directive issued by the premier requires that beginning Monday, workers whose positions are no longer needed have two weeks to accept voluntary redundancy or be redeployed. The program aims to reduce Queensland's public sector which has increased 28 per cent to $18 billion in the past four year under the Labor government.

The directive said the redundancy seeks to come up with a flexible, mobile, right-sized public service workforce that would enable state departments to respond to government priorities and change service delivery requirements.

RELATED STORIES