Queensland Labor leader Steven Miles and Shadow Treasurer Shannon Fentiman spoke to locals about high grocery prices during a visit to the Torres Strait. Photos: Supplied.
Torres Strait residents have met with Queensland Opposition Leader Steven Miles to discuss the eye-watering cost of groceries, fuel and essential items.
It comes as Cook MP David Kempton has assured locals an existing freight subsidy assisting Far North residents will not be changed or ceased without review.
Mr Miles and Shadow Treasurer Shannon Fentiman visited the Torres Strait (Zenedth Kes) in recent days and heard concerns about the “rising cost” of necessary goods, the pair said in a statement.
Former premier Mr Miles said: “It was such a privilege to travel to the Torres Strait to hear first-hand about the opportunities for this region, but also the challenges.
“One of the biggest challenges raised by many people I spoke to was the cost of groceries at the supermarket, on Thursday Island, but particularly in those outer islands,” he said.
“I was proud to raise the discount through the freight subsidy scheme which I know is helping at the checkout, but I’m concerned about the future of that program after the LNP commenced a review and reduced funding at their last budget.
“Communities want to see reliable, fresh and cheaper groceries in their supermarkets – it’s what they deserve.
“I am determined to fight for all Queensland, especially our First Nations people, who are being shut out and left behind by this Crisafulli LNP Government.”
Business owners can access freight discounts on essential goods (foods, drinks and household items used for domestic purposes) through the scheme, with savings passed on to the consumer.
In July, Mr Miles accused the government of making grocery bills more expensive for isolated Far North communities – but Mr Kempton hit back and said the Opposition Leader was “scaremongering”.
Queensland Labor leader Steven Miles and Shadow Treasurer Shannon Fentiman also visited Thursday Island Hospital.
Mr Kempton said on Friday: “The freight subsidy has been there for a long time just because of the remote communities, and it was 5.6 per cent. Prior to the election, Miles increased it to 20 per cent as a response to the cost of living, but with nothing else, it had no other planning around it. It was just a straight-out increase in the amount.”
“There’s $19.8 million in the forward estimates to keep the 20 per cent subsidy in place until 2029.”
However, Mr Kempton said the subsidy created a “false economy” and more needed to be done to drive down the cost of essential items.
“Now, I’m working really closely with CEQ (Community Enterprise Queensland), who is the provider, the store owner. I’m working really closely with Sea Swift, who is the transport operator. I’m working with the councils and TSRA (Torres Strait Regional Authority) to look at what can we do in the long term, because subsidies just aren’t sustainable,” he said.
“So, sort of things we’re looking at: are there efficiencies around the transport network? Can we—and we probably will—put a redistribution hub in the Far North, either on the mainland or Horn Island? And can we have a more efficient redistribution system to take it out to the outer islands? Because at the moment, taking those really large vessels around those islands to deliver groceries is not sustainable.”
Mr Kempton said any suggestion the subsidy would be ditched anytime soon were a “lie”.
Cook MP David Kempton met with locals in the Torres Strait in recent days. Photo: Supplied.
“The Federal Government needs to start talking to us about a joint, ongoing process to make the cost of living tolerable for Australians living in Torres Strait and the other remote communities (in my electorate),” he said.
“I mean, this is just such a short-term, piecemeal approach that gives no equity and no long-term sustainability. So, that’s where I’m at at the moment, and I’m working constantly and have been for six months.
During Mr Miles’ Torres Strait trip, he noted yellow capsicum selling for $14 per kilogram (compared to $7.90 per kilogram in Brisbane), rice for $10 per kilogram and washing liquid for $13 (compared to $3-6 in Brisbane).
He said residents also spoke to him about concerns with housing and the cost of transporting building materials, which made it harder and more expensive to build new homes.
