Malarndirri McCarthy (NT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Indigenous Australians) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Mulholland for her question—a proud Queensland senator—and I particularly thank Senator Green for her advocacy on this issue as well. Senator Green and the now, new, member for Leichhardt went to the election promising cost-of-living relief in remote communities. Well, today, I can advise the Senate that we're delivering on our cost-of-living promise to remote communities, including right across northern Queensland.

Our Low-Cost Essentials Subsidy Scheme is seeing the cost of 30 essential items slashed. The scheme ensures that these 30 essential items are comparable to prices in cities. The expected savings for remote consumers on these items are up to 50 per cent. And I can inform the senator that residents across Cape York—here I go—in Bamaga, Coen, Kowanyama, Lockhart River, Mapoon, Napranum, Pormpuraaw and Wujal Wujal, and even in the Torres Strait, in Thursday Island, Boigu Island, Hammond Island, Coconut Island, Horn Island, Mabuiag Island and also in Doomadgee and Palm Island—in over 30 stores around northern Queensland, we are delivering cost-of-living relief.

Remote stores will be offering cheaper groceries, providing cost-of-living relief, and food items that have been made cheaper include tinned veggies, canned fruit and rice, along with everyday items such as nappies and toilet paper. And the Albanese Labor government is investing $50 million over four years to improve remote food security, including reducing the cost of essential items in up to 152 remote stores across the country.