Minister for Indigenous Australians
The Albanese Labor Government is working with the Coalition of Peaks and other First Nations groups to support fuel, energy and food security in remote First Nations communities.
Under the Joint Council on Closing the Gap, a Working Group on Fuel, Energy and Food Security in Remote Communities has been established, bringing together representatives from First Nations peak bodies, industry and service providers.
Clause 64 of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap says:
The Government Parties… commit to engaging with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representatives before, during, and after emergencies such as natural disasters and pandemics to make sure that:
a. government decisions take account of the impact of those decisions on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
b. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are not disproportionately affected and can recover as quickly as other Australians from social and economic impacts.
As Joint Council Co-Chairs, the Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy, and the Coalition of Peaks Lead Convenor, Donnella Mills, will convene a second meeting of the Working Group this Thursday, 23 April.
Among the issues raised at the Working Group's first meeting on Thursday, 9 April was the reliance on diesel for electricity in remote communities and the high costs of air, sea and road freight for food and essential supplies increasing cost pressures on families and service providers.
The Working Group provides a mechanism for First Nations communities to share their experiences and for government, industry and service providers to work together to ensure that fuel supplies and access to food and essentials continues in remote communities.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy:
"The Albanese Government continues to closely monitor fuel supply and food security in remote communities to help ensure ongoing access to essential services and supplies.
"This Working Group ensures the experiences and needs of First Nations remote communities are heard, understood and included in the government's response."
Quotes attributable to Special Envoy for Remote Communities, Marion Scrymgour:
"Remote First Nations communities sit at the very end of supply chains that span across the globe, and as a result our communities are very vulnerable to disruptions.
"Our government is taking an active role to understand the needs of our remote communities, and work to ensure vital services remain supplied."
Quotes attributable to Joint Council Co-Chair and Lead Convenor, Coalition of Peaks, Donnella Mills:
"This Working Group brings the unique realities of remote Australia to government so that they are clearly understood and acted on. Fuel supply in remote communities is not just an economic issue - it impacts health, safety and essential services.
"Food security and access to health care along with supporting localised industries in remote communities including the Torres Strait Islands are areas of immediate priorities for the Coalition of Peaks.
"Fuel costs and energy needs in remote Australia flow into everything - food prices, freight, power generation and service delivery. When supply is disrupted, the impacts are immediate and profound for our people."
