Anne Stanley, the federal member for Werriwa, has called on the Morrison Government to implement the recommendations of the Indigenous Committee Report on food pricing and food security in remote Indigenous communities.
The report was tabled in the House of Representatives just before the Christmas break.
The report details 16 recommendations, all of which, says Ms Stanley, will lead to more secure and fairer prices for food and supplies in remote communities.
“I commend this report and urge the government to implement the recommendations in this report as soon as possible,” Ms Stanley said.
The Committee heard evidence from remote communities across Australia, with the inquiry receiving 128 submissions and 23 supplementary submissions.
The evidence shows remote communities were significantly impacted at the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic panic-buying in cities across Australia.
The committee heard that orders for food in remote parts of Australia were often 40 percent of what was ordered, leaving families hungry for up to two weeks.
“Families having to wait more than a week for food is unacceptable and intolerable for Australian society in 2020,’’said the member for Werriwa.
“The Government and this parliament are obligated to find the means to ensure that all Australians have access to clean drinking water and sufficient, fresh food supplies, so that everyone, no matter where they live, can live their best life.
“Meaningful changes need to be made to support those living in remote Australia.”
