Upgrades to the local store in Gunbalanya in Arnhem Land have been announced as the federal government works to combat food insecurity in remote communities.
Earlier in the year, the government committed to making 30 essential items in 76 remote community stores across Australia the same price as in cities and that warehouse capacity will be boosted to make remote community supply chains less vulnerable.
It is part of a 10-year National Strategy to improve food security in remote First Nations communities as well as increase access to affordable and nutritious food.
On Thursday, they announced that the Gunbalanya's Adjumarllarl Store, 300 kilometres east of Darwin and 60 kilometres northeast of Jabiru, will receive over $341,000 for the purchase of a freezer and refrigeration units. They will also be able to upgrade their point of sale.
"This is great news for the residents of Gunbalanya and another example of the Albanese Labor Government investing in remote communities to improve the lives of First Nations people," Minister for Indigenous Australians, Malarndirri McCarthy, said.
The government says the upgrade will enable the town's 1300 residents to access nutritious food all year round, including during the wet season when access by road is restricted dramatically.
"Our investment will strengthen Adjumarllarl Store's capability to supply Gunbalanya residents with nutritious food all year round, including during the wet season," Senator McCarthy said.
Agreed to before the election announcement, Adjumarllarl is one of 15 stores to receive funding through the $9.6 million Store Efficiency and Resilience Package.
Lingiari MP, Marion Scrymgour, who is facing a battle to hold her seat from CLP candidate Lisa Siebert, said every person across the country deserves "access to nutritious and healthy food all year round".
"This investment for the people of Gunbalanya will enable Adjumarllarl Store to provide this need to the community," she said.
"Building strong and healthy communities is an ongoing commitment from the Albanese Labor Government, and I thank the Prime Minister and Minister McCarthy for their continued support for our remote communities."
The Opposition has criticised the government over details of the cost of living and food insecurity in remote communities, with spokesperson for Indigenous affairs, Jacinta Nampijinpa Price arguing on Tuesday the "government can't continue to do is attempt to subsidize their way out of the cost-of-living crisis".
"They've criticised the Coalition for not supporting their measures to deal with the cost of living, but they've created this issue for Australians," Senator Price said.
Nonetheless, the lack of announced policies for Indigenous Australians from the Coalition—especially in remote communities—has also been noticed.
In February, Senator McCarthy said it's "always disappointing to hear the criticism from the Coalition" when they haven't costed a plan of Indigenous Australians other than cost cutting.
"Cutting public services, cutting Aboriginal organisations," she said.
"I would encourage them to recognise that this is a bipartisan support across not only the federal parliament but also every state and territory jurisdiction."
Senator McCarthy said the funding package in Arnhem land was part of a bigger picture.
"This package is not just building resilience, it's an investment in the health and wellbeing of First Nations people, and part of our broader commitment to Closing the Gap," she said.
Other remote stores which have received support under the package include Maningrida Store (NT), Kalkarindji Community Store (NT), Amata Anangu Store (SA), Timber Creek (Gunamu) Store (NT), Lajamanu Store (NT), ABIS Supermarket Kowanyama (QLD), ABIS Supermarket Pormpuraaw (QLD), Gapuwiyak Community Store (NT), Warliburru Store (NT), Kaltjiti (Fregon) Store (SA) and Warte Alparayetye Store (NT).
