National

Cost of living

Opinion

I’m in New York, but I’m dreaming of the Sydney Metro

Gary Nunn Contributor September 26, 2025 — 3.30pm

As his prime ministerial car arrived outside the UN in New York City this week, the last thing on Anthony Albanese’s mind was probably the first thing to preoccupy mine: the sheer expense of it all.

He wouldn’t have worried much that a small pumpkin spiced latte at the ubiquitous Starbucks costs an eye-watering $12.50 – around double the equivalent in Sydney (not that we’d be seen dead there).

Maybe he’d scoff at that price – as I did – and make his own. The cheapest carton of milk I could find in CVS, the everyday pharmacy/grocery store, costs $11.50.

“Exxy” – to use Aussie slang – doesn’t cover it. It isn’t just expensive, it’s extortionate

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