Jana Stewart (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator McCarthy. The Albanese Labor government is committed to improving outcomes for First Nations communities. Can the minister please outline what the government is doing to reduce the cost of everyday essential items and improve health outcomes in remote First Nations communities?

Lidia Thorpe (Victoria, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Locking all the babies up—that's what you're doing.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Come to order, Senator Thorpe!

Lidia Thorpe (Victoria, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thought I'd answer.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Come to order, Senator Thorpe!

Malarndirri McCarthy (NT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Indigenous Australians) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Stewart for the question. I know it is one that does concern her deeply. I recently returned home to my community of Borroloola in the remote Gulf region of the Territory. Residents in Borroloola, like many communities, face health challenges that are all too common among First Nations people, including diabetes and kidney disease, and, like residents in other communities, they have to travel long distances for health care and treatment. During my visit, I was pleased to announce the Albanese government is investing $13.5 million for a multipurpose community development that will include a renal dialysis clinic. A new renal facility in Borroloola means kidney disease patients will no longer have to relocate to Darwin or Katherine for lifesaving treatment.

I take this opportunity as well to acknowledge the Mayor of Cairns, Amy Eden, and her delegation who are here. I recently visited the Cairns base hospital to work and talk with patients there so that we could look at setting up some treatment for them at home on the Torres Strait. We know that diabetes can be managed, if not prevented, through diet. That's why it's vitally important we improve food security for remote First Nations communities. Groceries in some remote First Nations communities cost more than double that in capital cities. Everyone deserves access to affordable, fresh and healthy food.

In August, I wrote to manufacturers and producers asking for action to expand remote access to bulk-purchasing discounts. The letters asked for prices for 30 core products to be no more than those paid by major supermarkets. Earlier this month, I hosted the remote food supply chain industry roundtable. It was the first time stakeholders in the remote supply chain have come together to identify food security solutions for people in our most isolated communities.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Stewart, first supplementary?

Jana Stewart (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the minister for explaining the Albanese Labor government's action to reduce the cost of food in remote communities and how this is all part of the broader strategy to close the gap. How is the government supporting remote communities to access food all year round?

Malarndirri McCarthy (NT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Indigenous Australians) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator. Every wet season, some remote communities have road access cut off by floodwaters. Communities like Yarralin had its supply chains cut off for months. Stores were paying $10 per kilo for air freight, adding $20 to the cost of delivering two litres of milk. The Albanese Labor government is investing $9.6 million to improve food security for First Nations people in remote communities.

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. We've worked with state and territory governments to identify the remote community stores most in need of immediate support. Funding will support increased storage capacity for both dry and refrigerated stock so stores can better manage supply chain interruptions, and the funding will also support stores to install backup power stations to save perishable stock and allow continued trading when power supplies fail. (Time expired)

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Stewart, second supplementary?

Jana Stewart (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Minister, for that answer. It is great to hear about tangible outcomes for First Nations people in remote communities. What are the Albanese Labor government's long-term solutions to improve food security in remote communities, and how will these have a positive impact on health outcomes?

Malarndirri McCarthy (NT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Indigenous Australians) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

We've heard from remote First Nations communities across Australia, from Galiwin'ku, to Charleville, to Yalata and to Bidyadanga. Remote communities are asking for reliable access to affordable fresh and healthy food. We are listening. We're working with state and territory governments, as well as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations, to remove the roadblocks to cheaper, healthier food.

The National Strategy for Food Security in Remote First Nations Communities will set out long-term sustainable solutions to improve food security in remote communities. The national strategy will identify and coordinate action for remote First Nations communities, and it will improve prices, quality and availability of food and other essential groceries. The national strategy's key objective will be improving the health and wellbeing of First Nations people in remote communities, and I do thank all of those who were involved with this process, in particular all the stores and the communities.