QUEENSLANDERS PAYING A LOT MORE FOR HEALTHY FOOD

Queensland families are paying on average $149 more for the same basket of food they purchased in 2000, Health Minister Stephen Robertson said today.

Mr Robertson said a Queensland Health survey shows the same basket of food we purchased for $304 in 2000 now costs Queensland families an average $453.

“It also shows families living in very remote areas of Queensland are paying up to $113 more than families in Brisbane for the same basket of food,” he said.

“And the survey reveals food prices have risen by up to 54% in some regional communities since 2000.

“It’s obvious rising petrol prices and the drought are having a major impact on food prices.

“That’s why I’m calling on Prime Minister John Howard to authorise the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to conduct a national inquiry into food prices.”

Mr Robertson said the 2006 Healthy Food Access Basket Survey compared food price movements at 47 stores through Queensland between 2000 and 2006.

The survey was based on a standard basket of breads and cereals, meat, fruit and vegetables, dairy products and other staples that would feed a family of six for two weeks.

The survey found the average cost of the healthy food basket rose from:

• $299 to $443 (48% increase) in major cities including Brisbane, Toowoomba, Ipswich and the Gold and Sunshine Coasts;
• $310 to $463 (49% increase) in inner regional areas including Rockhampton, Mackay, Maryborough, Dalby and Bundaberg;
• $309 to $478 (54% increase) in outer regional areas including Cairns, Townsville, Bowen, Emerald and Goondiwindi;
• $347 to $481 (38% increase) in remote areas including Charleville, Cooktown, Mount Isa, St George and Roma; and
• $405 to $556 (37% increase) in very remote areas including Weipa, Aurukun, Mornington Island, Thursday Island, Doomadgee, Longreach, Winton and Cunnamulla.

Mr Robertson said the average price of the Healthy Food Basket in Queensland had risen 49% in six years compared with a 32.5% increase in the Consumer Price Index for food over the same period.

“This flies in the face of predictions by the ACCC in 2000 that the cost of fresh food, including fruit and vegetables, would drop 1.1% during the first six months of the GST.

“But between May 2000 and February 2001, it actually increased by 10.3%. It’s been soaring above CPI ever since.”

Mr Robertson said the Queensland Government already has a number of initiatives and programs focussed on improving healthy food supply in remote towns including indigenous communities.

“But rising food prices is a national issue demanding a national response.

“That’s why I am calling on the John Howard today to authorise the ACCC to conduct a formal inquiry into food prices in Australia.

“Mr Howard could also reform the CPI system for foods, so that it factors in CPI in rural and remote communities, not just in capital cities, and includes a CPI for ‘healthy’ food, not just commonly purchased food.”

“This would give Australians a true picture of cost increases across the country and healthier foods in the shopping trolley.

“Higher prices and limited availability are clearly barriers to healthy eating which adds to the burden of obesity and chronic disease, especially in our more socio-economically disadvantaged areas.”

“But Australians, no matter where they live, should have access to affordable healthy food,” he said.

MEDIA: PAUL LYNCH 3234 1190