Minister for Indigenous Australians
Residents of Bulla in the Northern Territory now have improved access to affordable food and other essentials, as part of the Albanese Labor Government's continued investment in improving food security in remote First Nations communities.
Government-owned company, Outback Stores, has assisted the community to re-open the Janyima local store following several years of closure, improving in-community access for residents of Bulla, 60 kilometres west of Timber Creek.
Outback Stores provided $60,000 to purchase stock and more than $200,000 to improve store infrastructure, after the community asked for assistance to re-open the store and manage it going forward.
Local stores are crucial for First Nations food security, providing more than 90 per cent of food consumed in remote communities. The next nearest store can be hundreds of kilometres away.
The Albanese Labor Government is improving food security in remote First Nations communities like Bulla, by investing in and supporting remote community stores.
Outback Stores was established to support access to healthy, affordable food in remote First Nations communities.
Where stores are not financially viable due to small populations or the challenges of remote locations, Outback Stores can provide funding support to ensure communities have continued access to fresh, healthy and affordable food as well as other essentials.
Outback Stores is working to keep stores operating and offering affordable prices in 55 locations across remote Australia.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Indigenous Australians, Malarndirri McCarthy:
"Thanks to Outback Stores, the community of Bulla now has access to affordable, fresh and healthy food.
"We know food insecurity disproportionately affects First Nations people living in remote communities, where stores commonly operate in challenging environments.
"Long transport distances, high operating expenses and weather extremes mean many small communities cannot sustain a store.
"Outback Stores assist communities as part of the Albanese Government's commitment to long term, sustainable solutions to support food security in remote First Nations communities."
Quotes attributable to Member for Lingiari, Marion Scrymgour:
"It is sadly too often the case that Aboriginal families and children in remote communities go without a nutritious meal due to a lack of access to healthy and affordable food. This leads to higher rates of illness and disease directly linked to food security.
"Good nutrition is essential for good health and strong futures. I congratulate the Albanese Government's steps to improve access to affordable food and other essentials in the remote community of Bulla. I know its residents will benefit greatly from the re-opening of their store and the ongoing support from Outback Stores."
Quotes attributable to Bulla Store Director, Shadrack Retchdford:
"We are very excited, it has been a long time since the store was closed.
"It makes it very easy for us to get our groceries. Our residents now don't need to travel to Timber Creek to get food and particularly the ones that have no transport will now have access to essential items within the community.
"The past years have seen floodings during the wet season, with the community relying on food drops throughout the wet season. With the assistance of Outback Stores we are hoping to have a long-term food security solution for our community residents."
Quotes attributable to Outback Stores CEO, Michael Borg:
"Outback Stores welcomes the opportunity to provide support for the Bulla community store.
"Outback Stores also looks forward to working closely with the National Indigenous Australians Agency in relation to the Australian Government's National Strategy for Food Security in Remote First Nations Communities."
