Lidia Thorpe (Victoria, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The illegal US-Israel war on Iran is causing economic pain across this country, but price shocks for First Peoples living in remote communities are even deeper—but ignored. Yesterday, I met an elder from Doomadgee, Queensland, who told me the cost and limited supply of diesel there have left the medical centre without power. People are missing out on critical medical treatment. Food costs are also skyrocketing. In remote stores, a tin of SPAM costs 10 bucks and a bit of salad costs $20. There are three urgent actions this Labor government should take to meet the needs of First Peoples in remote communities going without life's basics because of this Labor backed war.

First, Labor must urgently increase the Remote Area Allowance to offset the high cost of remote living. The current $9 a week is a pittance. It's rations, like from the mission masters. It was last increased in the year 2000, and it isn't indexed. It must be significantly increased and indexed to keep up with increasing costs.

Second, Labor must fix the remote food subsidy scheme that the minister loves to spruik. Rising fuel, freight and fertiliser costs are undermining it. An immediate increase would keep food affordable.

Third, Labor must intervene to stop big corporations like Woolies shutting remote stores in the interests of profit, like we're seeing in Nhulunbuy. Labor are complicit in this war. They must take responsibility for the harm it is causing.