Making front page on this day 29 years ago was the news that Canberra was having to seriously do without.
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This was the result of a severe global economic recession hitting Australia, which saw interest rates rise to an all-time high above 17 per cent, caused by massive foreign inflow.
The situation in Canberra meant no buses running, supermarket stocks were very low and popular brands were exhausted, while frozen foods and perishables ran out.
Shortages of meat were imminent as abattoirs ran out.
Bread was still normal, but shortages would occur.
Milk was in normal supply.
In liquor, mainly beer was affected. Some brands had run out and remaining stocks were expected to run out by the end of the week.
Hotels and clubs were in low supply.
Airline services from Canberra had been reduced to one third of normal schedules.
All Ansett flights in and out of Sydney were cancelled, with operations to Melbourne only.
TAA had two evening flights to Sydney and one to Melbourne.
Delays continued with mail. Petrol was being rationed and major building projects came to a standstill. At the same time, there were no employment prospects.