Australia caps grocery prices in remote Indigenous communities

The Australian government has announced a price cap on 30 essential grocery items in 76 remote stores, ensuring prices match those in major cities. This initiative, part of the Closing the Gap framework, aims to reduce living costs for Indigenous communities, where grocery prices can be significantly higher due to transport challenges and natural disasters. Indigenous Australians Minister Malarndirri McCarthy emphasized that making healthy food more affordable is key to addressing health issues like diabetes and chronic kidney disease. While the government has allocated over $800 million towards services in remote areas, critics highlight that only five of the 19 Closing the Gap targets are on track to being met. The opposition has expressed concerns over the lack of progress in achieving these targets, pointing to recent policy changes that may exacerbate existing challenges. Overall, the move is seen as a step towards improving the quality of life for First Nations people in Australia.