People living in remote Australian communities are facing staggering grocery costs, often paying more than double what city residents spend on essential items. In a move to address this unfair pricing, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is set to announce a plan aimed at ensuring regional Australians pay no more than their urban counterparts for everyday necessities.
During his upcoming Closing the Gap address, Mr Albanese will outline a new initiative that will cap the cost of 30 essential items in 76 remote stores, bringing them in line with city prices.
This decision follows a recent report from consumer advocacy group Choice, which revealed that First Nations communities in Western Australia and the Northern Territory routinely pay inflated prices for basic groceries, highlighting a significant disparity in food affordability.
To further strengthen food security in these regions, the government will also expand warehouse storage capacity, helping to stabilise supply chains and reduce transport costs.
“We are taking action to improve access to affordable food in remote communities,” Mr Albanese will state, according to the ABC. “Food insecurity has serious health consequences, including an increased risk of cardiovascular and kidney disease.”
The essential goods covered under the pricing plan include milk, bread, rice, flour, canned tuna, beef, chicken, fresh produce, eggs, nappies, toilet paper, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and menstrual products, among others.
A recent investigation by Choice exposed the stark contrast in grocery costs, with a basket of just nine essential items totalling $99.38 across four remote First Nations communities in Western Australia’s Great Sandy Desert and Pilbara, and the Northern Territory’s West Daly region and Tiwi Islands.
In comparison, the same items cost only $44.70 in major supermarkets such as Woolworths, Coles, Aldi, and IGA across Australia’s capital cities.
This initiative aims to level the playing field, ensuring all Australians—regardless of location—can access affordable, essential groceries.
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