Inquiry push for better remote stores

Sunday, 29 November 2009 13:10

The outcome of an extensive inquiry into the operation of remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island community stores has been tabled in Parliament by the Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs.
Member for Leichhardt Jim Turnour, a Member of the Committee, said the Committee’s report makes 33 recommendations to help communities access a secure and affordable food supply.
“There are community stores operating throughout Cape York and the Torres Strait and the committee had serious concerns raised about the operation of some stores, high prices and a lack of fresh produce,” Mr Turnour said.
“Clearly this has a major impact on the health of local residents. To help close the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians, the availability and affordability of groceries must be addressed.”
Mr Turnour said the development of an incentive scheme for stores to sell more healthy produce and a program to supply healthy lunches to children at pre-school and school where the need is identified are among the Committee’s recommendations.
“The Committee listened to community debate about a freight subsidy for the region and it is an issue that has generated on-going discussion in the Torres region.”
The Committee recommends that, following implementation of supply chain co-ordination and efficiencies, the Australian Government give consideration to a freight subsidy for fresh produce for the Torres Strait.
Evidence to the committee pointed out that food was expensive, not just due to freight, but due to inefficiencies in the supply chain and challenges around refrigeration and storage and the ongoing maintenance of store infrastructure.
He said the Committee put forward a series of recommendations in response to this, including the establishment of a supply chain co-ordination office, the establishment of a community store infrastructure fund to assist stores to invest in delivery, refrigeration and storage facilities, and the collaborative development of a healthy stores policy.
The committee is supportive of the establishment of community gardens.
“Cape and Torres Strait communities have a proud history of a gardening culture. Food grown locally is going to be fresher and cheaper, and with a community struggling to tackle the growing diabetes epidemic, there is real merit and great potential in exploring this issue further,” Mr Turnour said.
“There are some very good proposals outlined in the report developed in response to community feedback which I look forward to hearing the government’s response to and to progressing further.”
“These stores are more than just a shop for remote communities, so it is critical we work closely with the store managers and staff to implement positive change.”
Local residents of Cape York and the Torres Strait responded strongly to the inquiry, which undertook public hearings and store inspections at several locations including the Western Cape communities of Kowanyama and Aurukun, the Northern Peninsula Area and islands throughout the Torres Strait.
“The local community; mums and dads, business people and community organisations amongst others, turned out in strong numbers at the public hearings in the Cape and Torres Strait and I want to commend them all for speaking out about the cost of living and food issues they are facing.”
Read the full report here: http://www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/atsia/communitystores/report.htm. Alternatively, contact the office of Jim Turnour to obtain a copy by phoning 1300 301 917.

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