A grocery haul of staple items has sparked outrage over the shocking price as cost of living pressures mount. Mystery shopping from Consumer advocacy group Choice found remote First Nations communities across Western Australia and the Northern Territory are paying more than double for grocery items compared to major cities. A list of nine “essential” items cost a staggering $99.
38 across four First Nations communities in WA’s Great Sandy Desert and the Pilbara and the NT’s West Daly region and Tiwi Islands. The price jumped up even further in the West Daly region, with the same items costing $110.82.
This is compared to just $44.70 in Woolworths, Coles, Aldi and IGA in all capital cities. Bush Money Mob managing director of financial counselling Alan Gray told Choice investigative journalist Jarni Blakkarly that remote Aboriginal communities aren’t afforded the same services “mainstream Australians take for granted”.
“Once you get away from the bitumen, people living in remote Aboriginal communities get very few services that mainstream Australians take for granted,” Mr Gray said. “Food and the options of healthy, affordable food is one of them.” Mob Strong Debt Help financial counsellor and Boandik woman Bettina Cooper said those in remote communities simply have no options.
“When we’re travelling to remote communities there’s often only one choice of a local store. So whatever price is there is the price you pay,” Ms Cooper said. She also said .
