Consumer groups call on NIAA to strengthen remote food security strategy
Mandatory code of practice, subsidies for food transportation and increased income support needed.
A coalition of consumer and indigenous groups is calling on the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) to better protect vulnerable residents in remote areas.
The organisations have welcomed the proposed National Strategy for Food Security in Remote First Nations Communities, but they want the recommendations strengthened to guarantee fair prices and adequate supply of essential food and grocery items.
In our Joint Submission to the Strategy’s consultation, we urge the NIAA to recommend a mandatory code of practice for remote stores, subsidies for food transport to remote areas and a significant raise to the remote allowance payment.
We also hope the Strategy will recommend a mandate to display prices in stores and regulations for informal credit schemes.
These initiatives, along with others outlined in our submission, will work to reduce grocery prices, improve accessibility and help close the gap for First Nations people living in remote communities.
The coalition includes Financial Counselling Australia, Mob Strong Debt Help, Indigenous Consumer Assistance Network, CHOICE, Consumer Credit Legal Service Western Australia, and Financial Rights Legal Centre.
Quotes attributable to Lynda Edwards, Coordinator Financial Capability Community of Practice at Financial Counselling Australia:
“The current system simply isn’t working and is instead punishing First Nations people living in remote communities by charging them more to feed their families. There has to be a better way.”
“Financial counsellors and capability workers see the impact that high prices have in communities. They are paying premium prices for food and groceries that are often sub-standard and they’re then left with little or no money for other household expenses.”
“It’s a perfect example of the poverty premium at work, where those who can least afford it pay more for basic goods and services. It’s just not fair.”
“Consumer advocates support a mandatory code of practice for stores operating in remote areas so they are forced to do the right thing by their communities. They need to offer good quality goods at affordable prices.”
“The Federal Government needs to consider subsidising the cost of transporting essential food and grocery items to help make them more affordable and it should also increase the income support for people living in remote communities.”
Media contact: Maura Angle [email protected] or call 0418 334 121.