$9.6 million federal boost announced for food security in remote communites

Giovanni Torre
Giovanni Torre Published November 11, 2024 at 8.59pm (AWST)

The federal government is investing $9.6 million to improve food security for First Nations people in remote communities.

The government said on Monday night it has worked with state and territory governments to identify the remote community stores most in need of immediate support ahead of the upcoming emergency season, with projects to be tailored to local need.

The Store Efficiency and Resilience Package will support upgrades for more than 15 remote stores to ensure a reliable supply of nutritious food and essential groceries.

The remote stores will be supported to increase storage capacity for both dry and refrigerated stock, strengthening their ability to withstand supply chain interruptions. The investments will also support stores to install back-up power systems to save perishable stock and allow continued trading when power supplies fail.

Food and grocery availability in some remote communities can be affected by wet season impacts and extreme weather events, isolating people from critical supplies for prolonged periods and making air freight necessary.

Federal Minister for Indigenous Australians, Malarndirri McCarthy, said the government knows "food insecurity disproportionately affects First Nations people living in remote communities".

"We are also seeing the impact extreme weather is having on remote communities that are more regularly experiencing long periods of isolation from critical supplies," she said.

"Last wet season, road access to some remote communities was cut off by floodwaters, meaning stores were paying $10 per kilo for air freight, adding $20 to the cost of delivering 2 litres of milk.

"This is why we are supporting these remote stores to build their resilience in providing accessible and healthy food for their communities."

The federal government is currently developing a National Strategy for Food Security in remote First Nations communities, in partnership with state and territory governments and First Nations health organisations. The National Strategy, to improve access to nutritious and affordable food and groceries, is expected to be finalised by early 2025.

Northern Land Council chairperson Matthew Ryan told National Indigenous Times "having healthy and affordable food available is a basic human right, one that all people, whether they're living in Nightcliff or Nitjpurru, deserve".

"Our governments, Territory and federal, need to do all they can to ensure this. The latest investment is a step in the right direction; especially ahead of the Wet season when time and time again many of our communities get completely cut-off," he said.

"As the government continues to work on the National Strategy, it is important to the NLC that this is done in close partnership with the Aboriginal community organisations and leaders, who understand their community's needs best.

"The NLC would also like to see checks put in place to stop price hikes that really disadvantage Aboriginal people. Cost of living in the bush has gone up and up and we call on government to do more to address this."

Senator McCarthy said the Store Efficiency and Resilience Package announced Monday night is part of our government's commitment to "long term, sustainable solutions" to support food security in remote First Nations communities.

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National Indigenous Times

Disclaimer: This function is AI-generated and therefore may mispronounce.