Miles Doing What Matters: Discount soars to 20% under the Remote Communities Freight Assistance Scheme

• The Miles Government’s Remote Communities Freight Assistance Scheme 20 per cent discount on essential goods in the Northern Peninsula, Torres Strait and Gulf region has started.
• The discount is applied to eligible essential goods, such as milk and bread, at participating retailers.
• The Miles Government is committed to helping relieve freight related cost-of-living pressures throughout the region.

The Miles Government is doing what matters for remote communities with a major uplift in the Remote Communities Freight Assistance Scheme discount that has now come into effect from Monday 9 September 2024.

The discount on essential goods has been increased from 5.2 per cent to 20 per cent.

Approximately 34 stores across the Cape York, Torres Strait and Gulf region are currently applying the discount in‑store.

The cost of essentials, like milk, bread, fruit and vegetables and detergent will be reduced by 20 per cent – reducing inflation on the cost of goods, generally associated with freight. For example, a one litre bottle of detergent in the region can cost up to 12 per cent higher than that charged at a similar size retail store in Cairns.

If the bottle of detergent cost $3.46 at full price in the region, it would come down to $2.77 with the subsidy applied.

A two-litre bottle of milk, that may cost, on average, $5.40 at full price in the region, would come down to $4.32 with the subsidy applied.

The Remote Community Freight Assistance Scheme is about driving down the cost of essential goods by putting money directly back in the pockets of local residents at the checkout.

The Scheme excludes items such as alcohol, tobacco, furniture and whitegoods. 

The government will continue to engage with retailers on effective implementation and to encourage additional retailers to participate in the scheme.

More information available here.

Quotes attributable to Transport and Main Roads and Digital Services Minister Bart Mellish:

“This is about delivering practical and tangible relief for our remote communities”.

"By applying an increased discount percentage of 20 per cent at the cash register at participating retailers, the weekly grocery shop will be even more affordable for residents living within the Northern Peninsula, Torres Strait and Gulf region”.

"I encourage retailers not participating in the scheme within the region to visit the QRIDA website, search for the Remote Communities Freight Assistance Scheme, and investigate their eligibility to apply”.

Quotes attributable to Member for Cook Cynthia Lui:

“It’s important we do what we can to support communities in the Far North to get access to affordable goods.

“Residents will now receive even more cost-of-living relief at local shops with the 20 per cent discount now being applied at the register.

“Communities in my electorate shouldn’t feel disadvantaged just because of their location, and I’ll continue to advocate for practical cost of living relief for families in the Far North.”

ENDS