CHOICE, FCA, Good Shepherd, ICAN and Mob Strong welcome the introduction of the low-cost essentials subsidy scheme. It is a significant and positive step towards addressing the disproportionately high cost of food and groceries in remote communities, and improving access to essential items for First Nations people. However it is too early to determine the full impact of the scheme on prices, availability, and access to affordable food and groceries. Early observations suggest that the scheme is having a positive impact, but there remain significant risks and gaps in its implementation and enforcement that may limit its effectiveness going forward, if left unaddressed. This submission makes a number of recommendations to strengthen the scheme.
