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

The Senate might notice a return to a theme in this response. Yes, there is another benefit with this policy, and it's an important one. That is jobs, jobs, jobs. Not only are we subsidising essential items and creating minimum standards in stores for health outcomes; we are funding the creation of an in-store nutrition workforce. This means we will create jobs—real jobs—and equip locally engaged workers with skills to build healthier retail food environments and provide informed advice to customers about healthy food purchases. We know Indigenous Australians in remote stores receiving advice from trusted people in a supportive and culturally appropriate environment are more likely to make healthier purchasing choices. This will have a positive impact. Certainly, this is what we want to be able to monitor going forward in terms of health outcomes. We've got a plan and we are delivering on it.