Inquiry into food insecurity in remote Indigenous communities holds additional hearings

THE INQUIRY into food pricing and food security in remote Indigenous communities is holding further public hearings this week on Thursday October 8 and Friday October 9.

The Eon Foundation will be appearing on Thursday and the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) will appear on Friday, followed by Outback Stores.

Julian Leeser MP, Chair of the House of Representatives Indigenous Affairs Committee, said the Eon Foundation would provide valuable insights into local food production in remote areas and that the Committee looked forward to continuing its discussions with NIAA and the Commonwealth-owned Outback Stores, who appeared previously for the inquiry in June, on possible solutions to food insecurity in remote First Nations communities.

“Market gardens and other avenues for remote food production have had mixed success in the past. We look forward to discussing this with the Eon Foundation who provide nutrition and horticulture education and training to 37 communities across Western Australia and the Northern Territory," Mr Leeser said.

“Our second hearing this week with the NIAA and also with Outback Stores will allow us to further explore some practical responses and possible policy solutions to the food insecurity issues facing many Indigenous people.”

The witnesses will be appearing by videoconference or teleconference due to social distancing requirements relating to COVID-19. Full programs are available from the inquiry website.

Public hearing details

Date: Thursday, 8 October 2020
Time: 11.45am to 12.30pm AEDT
Location: Via video and teleconference

Date: Friday, 9 October 2020
Time: 9.30am to 11.45am AEDT
Location: Via video and teleconference

Audio broadcasts will be accessible at aph.gov.au/live.

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