Minister for Indigenous Australians
The Albanese Labor Government is delivering on its commitment to provide cost of living relief in remote First Nations communities, with 120 remote stores signing up to the Low-Cost Essentials Subsidy Scheme in its first 12 months.
Under the Scheme, the cost of 30 essential items(link is external) has been reduced so they are comparable to prices in urban areas. The items include milk, rice, tinned vegetables, canned fruit, toilet paper and nappies.
68 stores have joined the Scheme across the Northern Territory, from Kalkarindji in the Victoria Daly Region to Gapuwiyak in Arnhem Land and Borroloola in the Gulf of Carpentaria, from Mutitjulu in Central Australia to Wurrumiyanga on the Tiwi Islands.
34 stores have signed up to the Scheme in Queensland, from Doomadgee in the state's north-west, to Wujal Wujal in the Far North and Thursday Island in the Torres Strait.
15 stores have joined the Scheme in WA, from Wirrimanu, between the Great Sandy and Tanami Deserts to Kalumburu, the state's northernmost community.
And three stores have joined the Scheme in the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) lands of South Australia, in the communities of Indulkana, Mimili and Kaltjiti.
Over the past year, the Scheme has supported almost 4,000 deliveries, with more than three million items delivered.
The government has expanded access to the Scheme so that an estimated 225 remote stores across Australia can apply to join.
To participate in the Scheme, stores servicing remote communities are required to sign up to the National Code of Practice for Remote Store Operations which includes minimum standards for governance, operations and health.
Administered by the National Indigenous Australians Agency, the Scheme is delivered by Outback Stores, a not-for-profit Commonwealth company.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy:
"Everyone deserves access to affordable essentials, no matter where they live.
"Our Low-Cost Essentials Subsidy Scheme is about fairness and easing cost of living pressures for remote First Nations communities.
"I'm pleased 120 remote stores have so far signed up to the Low-Cost Essentials Subsidy Scheme to offer cheaper food and other essentials to their communities, and I encourage more stores to apply."
Quotes attributable to Special Envoy for Remote Communities and Member for Lingiari, Marion Scrymgour:
"Our remote communities are unique places, and they deserve the focus of government. That's why 12 months ago we rolled out this targeted cost-of-living package to help people in remote communities' access essential items.
"Creating healthier communities starts with affordable essentials and I am proud that the Low-Cost Essentials Subsidy Scheme has been delivering cheaper goods for people living out bush for 12 months now.
"The cost of living is affecting everyone, but pressures are felt even harder in our remote communities. The Albanese Government is hearing this and responding."
