More than 50 remote stores across the Northern Territory now have access to cheaper groceries under the federal government's Low-Cost Essentials Subsidy Scheme.
The initiative, announced last month, has now enrolled 100 remote community stores across Australia. It reduces the cost of 30 staple items — including fresh and canned produce, nappies, and toilet paper — helping to bring prices closer to those in cities.
According to the government, communities such as Croker Island in the north, Aputula in the south, and Atitjere in the east are among those benefiting from lower grocery prices, with remote consumers saving up to 50 per cent on these essentials.
The scheme is overseen by the National Indigenous Australians Agency and implemented by Outback Stores, a not-for-profit Commonwealth company.
Minister for Indigenous Australians, Malarndirri McCarthy, said the federal government had promised cost-of-living relief, "and that's exactly what we're delivering in remote communities across the Northern Territory".
"For far too long, families in remote communities have paid far higher prices for food and groceries. This initiative is delivering on our promise to support families with cost of living relief," Senator McCarthy said.
Special Envoy for Remote Communities, Marion Scrymgour, said signing up 50 remote stores to the scheme "will make a real difference to people living in the Northern Territory".
The Lingiari MP said the government had been "working hard to tackle cost of living pressures and to ensure that people living in remote areas get a fair go when shopping at their local store".
"This $50 million investment shows our government supports people living in remote areas," she said.
To take part, stores must sign up to the new National Code of Practice for Remote Store Operations, which sets minimum standards for governance, operations, and health outcomes. Once approved, stores can order from the list of 30 subsidised items.
"We've just placed our first order, and already we can see there's going to be a real difference for the community in the prices of products," Atitjere Store Manager Terry McLennan said.
"In my 20 years working in this space, this is the first time I've seen such a real difference."
Earlier this year, the government also launched a 10-year National Strategy on food security in remote First Nations communities and secured state and territory support for a national food pricing code. Ministers have pointed to the link between poor nutrition and issues disproportionately affecting Indigenous Australians, such as cost-of-living pressures and high rates of renal disease.
Senator McCarthy recently told National Indigenous Times she wanted to see 100 nutrition workers based in stores to help customers make healthier choices.
"They have to be based around food," she said.
"It's about awareness in language; making it understandable about what foods are healthy for you, what foods are not; what's the better choice.
"So, these nutrition workers are also about assisting. If you do have Mob who come in with kidney dialysis issues or with heart issues, they have a sense of how they can guide customers as well."
