Kay Patterson (Victoria, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

Senator Crossin, you will have your chance in a moment. The Cape York financial information management program has seen school attendance go up—an educational outcome; domestic violence go down—a social and health outcome; and better nutrition—a health outcome. The community stores policy recently announced by Minister Brough, which relates to the operation of community stores in the Northern Territory, although not a direct health intervention will undoubtedly have an impact on health. What we are doing is setting up a licensing system for community stores in the Northern Territory. Stores that are licensed will be able to participate in the income management arrangements. A licence will be issued to community stores that are able to participate in the requirements of the income management scheme; that have a reasonable quality, quantity and range of groceries and consumer items, including healthy food and drink, available and promoted at the store; and that can demonstrate sound financial structures, retail practices and governance.

I have been to remote communities in my two roles as Minister for Health and Ageing and Minister for Family and Community Services. It is quite interesting to see the significant differences. Some stores are managed well—and some of them are managed by Indigenous people, who really have a motive to manage them well. They run cooking classes and they prepare meals for people to take away. They prepare school meals for children—and they are prepaid. What you see in those communities is a significant change in their health. Other measures that need to be taken into account—and you see considerable differences across communities— (Time expired)