The Albanese government says it will lock the cost of 30 products to match city pricing in more than 70 remote stores if it wins the federal election, however, it remains to be seen how the move would work with the State Government’s existing freight subsidy. Photo: Cape York Weekly.
It remains to be seen how a federal Labor government promise to lock the price of 30 essential products in Cape York and Torres Strait communities will operate alongside the State Government’s existing remote freight subsidy.
As part of its response to the latest Closing the Gap annual report, the Albanese government announced on 10 February it would lock the cost of the 30 products to match city pricing in more than 70 remote stores if it retained power following this year’s federal election.
The government is yet to reveal what items would be deemed essential, but Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said increased regional and remote warehousing capacity would also form part of the plan.
“We will ensure the costs of 30 essential products in more than 76 remote stores are the same as what you’d pay in the city, as well as boosting warehouse capacity to shorten freight distances and to make supply chains to remote communities less vulnerable,” he said.
The State Government is currently completing a review of the existing Remote Communities Freight Assistance Scheme, which provides a 20 per cent discount on “eligible essential goods”, such as milk, bread, fruit and vegetables, at retailers participating in the scheme.
The scheme has been criticised as not doing enough to provide genuine cost of living relief to those living in the northernmost part of the state due to it not including other essential everyday items like fuel, clothing and whitegoods.
Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg told Cape York Weekly the review was ongoing and said the government was committed to delivering tangible relief to the hip pockets of Cape York and Torres Strait residents.
“We recognise the challenges some remote and regional communities experience in accessing cost-effective freight services, and it is important we support communities in Far North Queensland to access essential and affordable goods,” he said.
“The Crisafulli government will work with the Federal Government to ensure both schemes work effectively and deliver maximum value to community members.”
Member for Cook David Kempton said he was in constant contact with the Torres Cape Indigenous Council Alliance, which represents all local governments in the region, and other organisations in the electorate to find better ways to optimise the supply of food and other services.
“The LNP government is committed to a review of the Remote Communities Freight Assistance Scheme and has no plans to change the present transport subsidy arrangements,” he said.
Original Article published by Lyndon Keane on Cape York Weekly.
