Australians are paying double for essentials—here’s what the government is doing about it

The cost of everyday essentials has been a growing concern for many Australians, but for some, the price gap is far more extreme than most realise.

What seems like a routine grocery run in one part of the country can turn into an overwhelming financial burden elsewhere.

Now, a new government plan aims to address this long-standing issue—but will it be enough to make a real difference?


Prime Minister Anthony Albanese pledged to address the stark price disparities faced by Australians in remote communities.

He vowed to match the cost of essential goods with those in major cities.

During his Closing the Gap statement on 10 February, he detailed plans to lock in city pricing for 30 essential products across 76 remote stores.


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Albanese vows to cut remote grocery costs. Image source: Wikipedia


His commitment followed a report by consumer advocacy group CHOICE.

The report found that First Nations communities in Western Australia and the Northern Territory were often charged more than double for groceries compared to urban areas.

To strengthen supply chains, Mr Albanese also announced an expansion of warehouse capacity.

‘We are also tackling issues of access to affordable food in remote communities,’ he said, as reported.

‘Food insecurity can have serious health impacts, including cardiovascular and kidney disease.’


The list of essential products covered under this initiative includes flour, milk, canned tuna, rice, bread, beef, chicken and eggs.

It also includes some fresh produce, toilet paper, nappies, toothbrushes, toothpaste and menstrual products, according to the national broadcaster.

In November, CHOICE highlighted the staggering cost gap.

It revealed that a set of nine essential grocery items cost $99.38 in four remote First Nations communities across the Great Sandy Desert, the Pilbara, the West Daly region and the Tiwi Islands.

The same items were priced at just $44.70 in major supermarkets such as Woolworths, Coles, Aldi and IGA in capital cities.


Back in 2020, the price of frozen lamb loin chops in Palm Island, a remote Indigenous community in far north Queensland, sparked public outrage.

They were priced at $82.27—almost double the average cost at the time.

Australians living in remote areas often pay more than twice as much for groceries as those in metropolitan regions.

Last week, the Albanese government secured an $842.5 million funding agreement to enhance service delivery for Indigenous communities in the remote Northern Territory.

This record-breaking federal investment, spanning six years, is set to generate approximately 570 jobs, with over 270 designated for First Nations Territorians.


Since taking office, Labor has prioritised advancing Closing the Gap targets.

These targets encompass 17 socio-economic goals aimed at improving health, safety and housing outcomes for Indigenous Australians.

While most targets are set for completion by 2031, only a handful have seen substantial progress, and several have been revised since the initiative was first introduced in 2008.


Watch the video below to learn more.



Key Takeaways
  • The Albanese government pledged to address extreme price disparities in remote communities by matching the cost of essential goods to city prices and expanding warehouse capacity to improve supply chains.
  • A CHOICE report revealed that First Nations communities in WA and the NT often pay more than double for groceries, with a 2020 incident highlighting the issue when lamb chops in Palm Island were priced at $82.27.
  • A government initiative will lock in city pricing for 30 essential products, including staple foods and hygiene items, across 76 remote stores.
  • The government also secured an $842.5 million funding deal to improve service delivery in the NT, creating 570 jobs, as part of ongoing efforts to meet Closing the Gap targets, though progress has been slow.

Have you or someone you know experienced the high cost of living in these areas? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
 

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The Voice was not about helping indigenous people living remotely with groceries, it was about having a voice in Parliament in having a say in everything that affects them. If it was non indigenous people Albanese had announced he was helping would you agree to his plan.
Well surely cost of living was is something that affects them.
 
We have a "cost of living crisis," but it's artificial. The #duopoly, Woolworths and Coles, run it in order to create $billion quarterly profits.

Yet, when it comes to Christmas and other commercial ventures, Australians are said to be spending $billions! Am I the only person who considers this a massive anomaly?

We don't need Govts feeding the the greed with more money. We need legislation limiting the amount of mark-up grocers can charge. Prices can be lower. Profits don't need to be $billions every quarter.

Grocers are ripping us off. Simple as that.
Spot on & govt made a big nouse about changing that too & what changed? ... My groc bill is higher than ever since they claimed to fix things, what a joke!
 
For those that do not understand - budgets:-
The federal government has committed $842.6 million over six years for remote Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory.
This funding supports essential services in remote communities, including $205.9 million for our remote policing efforts. Funding up to 12 Aboriginal community-controlled children and family centres to provide solutions to issues related to family safety and child development.
***Re the food pricing in remote communities - 30 essential products across 76 remote stores. The list of essential products covered under this initiative includes flour, milk, canned tuna, rice, bread, beef, chicken and eggs. Is this really what you are upset about?????

HOW ABOUT THIS BUDGET? -
The majority of government spending on aged care comes from the Australian Government (98.6%). During 2022–23 governments spent almost $28.3 billion on aged care, with the largest proportion (58%, $16.3 billion) spent on residential care.
**A $4.3 billion investment in Support at Home, to come into effect on 1 July 2025.

I remember my 3 YEAR OLD, throwing a tantrum because it was his brother's birthday and not his on that day! But, he was only 3 years old! What the hell is your excuse?
 
For those that do not understand - budgets:-
The federal government has committed $842.6 million over six years for remote Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory.
This funding supports essential services in remote communities, including $205.9 million for our remote policing efforts. Funding up to 12 Aboriginal community-controlled children and family centres to provide solutions to issues related to family safety and child development.
***Re the food pricing in remote communities - 30 essential products across 76 remote stores. The list of essential products covered under this initiative includes flour, milk, canned tuna, rice, bread, beef, chicken and eggs. Is this really what you are upset about?????

HOW ABOUT THIS BUDGET? -
The majority of government spending on aged care comes from the Australian Government (98.6%). During 2022–23 governments spent almost $28.3 billion on aged care, with the largest proportion (58%, $16.3 billion) spent on residential care.
**A $4.3 billion investment in Support at Home, to come into effect on 1 July 2025.

I remember my 3 YEAR OLD, throwing a tantrum because it was his brother's birthday and not his on that day! But, he was only 3 years old! What the hell is your excuse?
You obviously are a ex public servant or an advisor to the Government. You have to convert figures to a per capita amounts and then compare tax paid by pensioners during their working lives and the tax paid by the NT tribes etc to get a proper picture. Just throwing bold figures doesn’t tell the story. In any case you missed the point.Why is this being done now when they have been there for nearly 4 years. Is it not election time? The only one throwing a tantrum is you.
 
You obviously are a ex public servant or an advisor to the Government. You have to convert figures to a per capita amounts and then compare tax paid by pensioners during their working lives and the tax paid by the NT tribes etc to get a proper picture. Just throwing bold figures doesn’t tell the story. In any case you missed the point.Why is this being done now when they have been there for nearly 4 years. Is it not election time? The only one throwing a tantrum is you.
Probably because the previous budget expired! "Tax paid by pensioners during their working lives...' nonsense! It is a budget - revised as they come up for renewal??
 
Probably because the previous budget expired! "Tax paid by pensioners during their working lives...' nonsense! It is a budget - revised as they come up for renewal??
Yes of course it is a budget covering a period of time no one is disputing that but you are only comparing expense level without considering taxes being paid not only within that budget but for previous years as well. That is how pensions are funded. As I said within that budget there are taxes collected to pay for those. You cannot just compare expenses level without tax collected totals. You need to offset the taxes paid by each group to get a picture. It is still electioneering for the ALP without touching their ownelection funding.
 
Yes of course it is a budget covering a period of time no one is disputing that but you are only comparing expense level without considering taxes being paid not only within that budget but for previous years as well. That is how pensions are funded. As I said within that budget there are taxes collected to pay for those. You cannot just compare expenses level without tax collected totals. You need to offset the taxes paid by each group to get a picture. It is still electioneering for the ALP without touching their ownelection funding.
Not sure I understand what you are saying...if I understand - are you saying unemployment is paid by taxes paid by some who have never paid tax???
 
Not sure I understand what you are saying...if I understand - are you saying unemployment is paid by taxes paid by some who have never paid tax???
All I am saying is that what you compared for 2022-23 is only the Expense provided for for both pensioners and the tribes but in that budget one has to take into account what element of revenue each contributed through tax. Nearly all eventual pensioners contribute revenue to Government of all persuasions to cover that element. Each Budget tries to balance the Budget for that year including for pensions and in fact revenue is raised through taxes and other means for that purpose. Now some of the NT tribes may also be contributing but not to the level of that required to meet the present outlays for that year’s pensions.
 
All I am saying is that what you compared for 2022-23 is only the Expense provided for for both pensioners and the tribes but in that budget one has to take into account what element of revenue each contributed through tax. Nearly all eventual pensioners contribute revenue to Government of all persuasions to cover that element. Each Budget tries to balance the Budget for that year including for pensions and in fact revenue is raised through taxes and other means for that purpose. Now some of the NT tribes may also be contributing but not to the level of that required to meet the present outlays for that year’s pensions.
The budget example is an example of how monies are allocated at different times and for different amounts based on projected needs at the time. No it does not work as in pro-rata tax paid by whomever. It is simply part of a budget allocated to needs, a balancing act. First Nations People are the most disadvantaged and as I pointed out this includes funding for schools, safe shelters, policing etc . Don't know how many of them have home help with the cleaning, driving them to the shopping, doctors, etc. Pensioners aren't missing out on their share of the pie. It really is only recently they have had any support at all. Plenty of pensioners have been on welfare of some kind for most of their lives also.
 
The budget example is an example of how monies are allocated at different times and for different amounts based on projected needs at the time. No it does not work as in pro-rata tax paid by whomever. It is simply part of a budget allocated to needs, a balancing act. First Nations People are the most disadvantaged and as I pointed out this includes funding for schools, safe shelters, policing etc . Don't know how many of them have home help with the cleaning, driving them to the shopping, doctors, etc. Pensioners aren't missing out on their share of the pie. It really is only recently they have had any support at all. Plenty of pensioners have been on welfare of some kind for most of their lives also.
Ok I know what a budget is after all I am financially trained. Some people do need an extra hand but my point from the beginning was that Albo could have helped well before but came up with the idea just in time for the upcoming election. The other point I am unhappy about is that you had it in for pensioners most of whom have contributed significantly over many years to get their entitlement. The pension too leaves many with insufficient support to lead a reasonable ‘ rest of life’
outcome.
 
Ok I know what a budget is after all I am financially trained. Some people do need an extra hand but my point from the beginning was that Albo could have helped well before but came up with the idea just in time for the upcoming election. The other point I am unhappy about is that you had it in for pensioners most of whom have contributed significantly over many years to get their entitlement. The pension too leaves many with insufficient support to lead a reasonable ‘ rest of life’
outcome.
Really? First time I have ever heard of a budget being described as dependent upon the amount of tax paid by a certain demographic. Or link supporting essential services to ‘The Referendum’. When the 24-25 budget came out, and this was a budget for over a 6 yr period, it was still under consideration how best to apply the funding. I would think it only prudent to advise the plan once all things have been considered and taken under advisement. Either way, tell me which politicians are not politicking this far out from an election? Pretty trivial point, but I don’t believe that was your point really. Your ‘tribe’ seem to see things differently. '"having it in for pensioners"???
 
Why only the indigenous in the N.T. There are many more rural towns that pay a high price in every state of Australia. He is a suck hole
Exactly, there are military establishment located in very remote locations and they have to shop local too.
 
Good old Kalgoorlie. It's a bit like the wild west.
I lived there for 5 years, 32 years ago. But wasn't so bad then. Each year we go back on my mother in law's birthday to place flowers on her grave and each year it has gradually gone from bad to worse.
So many shops closed down. So much antisocial behaviour.
It doesn't sound like the council is doing much to help the situation.

It's not the only place though
I also lived in Geraldton for a few years. What should be a beautiful beachside area has also gone to the pack.
Again so much antisocial behaviour. Shops windows boarded up what once we're very nice homes look like the city dump.
Would not go back to either of these places to live.
Oh how I know. When I first arrived here, maybe a couple of weeks in, my husband and I went to K-Mart (which was still in the Coles-K-mart building at that time). I made the mistake of glancing over to the parking lot and there was a man there treating the building like a freaking toilet! Ugh! And then there's the time we drove by Skinny Park and saw a naked man on top of a woman who was either sound asleep or dead drunk. You can imagine ....

It's become home over the years though I still call Maryland home as well. When we go to Perth, I'm ready to go home after a few days. One time, I had a knee replacement scheduled, and it got moved because of a cat scratch on my knee. Then they found out I had low blood platelets. Thank goodness for my father-in-law, rather than having us come home and go back, he paid for extra weeks at the hotel. We miss him so much... he passed unexpectedly on his birthday this past September :( Not the money stuff, just him..
 
Oh how I know. When I first arrived here, maybe a couple of weeks in, my husband and I went to K-Mart (which was still in the Coles-K-mart building at that time). I made the mistake of glancing over to the parking lot and there was a man there treating the building like a freaking toilet! Ugh! And then there's the time we drove by Skinny Park and saw a naked man on top of a woman who was either sound asleep or dead drunk. You can imagine ....

It's become home over the years though I still call Maryland home as well. When we go to Perth, I'm ready to go home after a few days. One time, I had a knee replacement scheduled, and it got moved because of a cat scratch on my knee. Then they found out I had low blood platelets. Thank goodness for my father-in-law, rather than having us come home and go back, he paid for extra weeks at the hotel. We miss him so much... he passed unexpectedly on his birthday this past September :( Not the money stuff, just him..
Know what you mean. Once saw a woman using the garden at the front of Viskovitch House in Hannans Street as a toilet ( and she wasn't having a pee)
My husband was getting a haircut in Boulder and saw a couple going for it in the lane way opposite. The barber said it wasn't uncommon.
Also, as you said, the goings on in Skinny Park, in broad daylight leave a lot to be desired.
This is from 30 years ago that I lived in Kalgoorlie, seems like nothing has changed much.
 
You obviously are a ex public servant or an advisor to the Government. You have to convert figures to a per capita amounts and then compare tax paid by pensioners during their working lives and the tax paid by the NT tribes etc to get a proper picture. Just throwing bold figures doesn’t tell the story. In any case you missed the point.Why is this being done now when they have been there for nearly 4 years. Is it not election time? The only one throwing a tantrum is you.
Fact they were elected in 2022 ie 3 years
 
Good old Kalgoorlie. It's a bit like the wild west.
I lived there for 5 years, 32 years ago. But wasn't so bad then. Each year we go back on my mother in law's birthday to place flowers on her grave and each year it has gradually gone from bad to worse.
So many shops closed down. So much antisocial behaviour.
It doesn't sound like the council is doing much to help the situation.

It's not the only place though
I also lived in Geraldton for a few years. What should be a beautiful beachside area has also gone to the pack.
Again so much antisocial behaviour. Shops windows boarded up what once we're very nice homes look like the city dump.
Would not go back to either of these places to live.
Blame it on the laws that says youths gave more rights than those who pay the taxes. We will all have to go
Live underground and allow under 18 S to sort out above ground. Not safe anywhere
 
Pandering to what?
$842 million will buy a lot of votes. It could also help remote areas being more self sufficient. The general indigenous person needs to look at making their lives more efficient. Wish we could have more Ord River food producing areas
 

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