The Federal Government should introduce a Freight Subsidy Scheme for the people of the Torres Strait, according to Senator for Queensland, Senator Sue Boyce.
A Parliamentary Inquiry into community stores in remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities has heard it is more expensive to live in the Torres Strait than Sydney or Melbourne.
“I have spoken a number of times about the very high cost of living in the Torres Strait, and I am glad the Government has finally sent a delegation to look for themselves,” Senator Boyce said.
“The cost of living issues in the Torres Strait were highlighted to me eight months ago on a trip to Cairns and the Torres Strait. The ShopSmart grocery price comparison showed that a basket of goods in the Torres Strait was $24 more expensive than in Cairns.
“The latest ShopSmart figures show prices in the Torres Strait are now nearly $32 more than the average Queensland basket.
“Torres Strait is treated like a forgotten bit of Australia by the Bligh and Rudd governments and a Tasmanian style freight subsidy scheme would help to redress the balance,” Senator Boyce said.
The Tasmanian Freight Subsidy Scheme costs $133m and subsidises the cost of freight across to the island.
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