Mark Butler (Hindmarsh, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the House) Share this | Hansard source

While I strongly reject the characterisation that the member just made of a number of decisions, I do also recognise, and have for some years, his deep interest in this area and his involvement going back to his time as the minister for Aboriginal affairs in the Bjelke-Petersen government and the role that the mission market gardens program played back then. I've heard the member speak passionately about this question many, many times. I understand representatives of the community are here in parliament this week and will be meeting with Minister McCarthy tomorrow to talk more about issues of food security.

The member raises what is probably the most pressing public health challenge the whole country has, which is the rise of type 2 diabetes. But we know that it is a particular challenge for First Nations communities. We know that prevalence is high. Morbidity and mortality are higher for First Nations Australians. We know that treatment of advanced diabetes takes too many First Nations Australians off country for dialysis treatment, which is why we're seeking to build renal services in remote communities, so people can receive that dialysis on country.

But, really, the member raises the more important questions about how we prevent people going into diabetes in the first place. We have been working very hard through Minister McCarthy in particular to improve food security in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, and that program—the Low-Cost Essentials Subsidy Scheme—is already subsidising the cost of dozens of essential items in grocery stores in remote communities so that First Nations Australians in those communities are paying the same price that Australians in metropolitan Australia pay, saving up to 50 per cent, with prices now comparable to city supermarkets in about 113 stores to date, and we're working to improve that.

I know that's not a full answer to the member's question. I say this: the Minister for Indigenous Australians, the Minister for Social Services, I and other members of the government are committed to working together to address what is a very serious public health challenge and a deep, deep shame and a stain on First Nations communities. The lack of access to high-quality, affordable food is something we should always strive to improve. I look forward to the meeting the Minister for Indigenous Australians is having with community members and probably the member himself over the coming day or two, and I'll certainly be happy to do anything I can to contribute to this effort.

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