Maranoa MP: Supermarkets need to do their bit for rural and remote areas

March 26, 2020

As the COVID-19 pandemic bears down on Australia, rural and remote communities across Maranoa are finding it difficult to source supplies.

Maranoa MP David Littleproud is calling on supermarkets to do the right thing by optimising supply chains to move goods around rural and remote parts so that everyone gets their fair share.

“There are loyal customers and station owners out there travelling for hours to find that the goods they want – rice, chickpeas, fresh fruit and vegies, toilet paper – are in limited stock or unavailable,” Mr Littleproud said.

“I urge supermarkets to work with the Federal Government’s COVID-19 Coordination Commission to deal with the economic and social problems rural and remote communities are facing as a result of this pandemic.

“Supermarkets need to work with the ACCC on guaranteeing that their loyal customers and the primary producers are getting access to supplies they need without hurdles.

“We’re talking about loyal customers, station owners with multiple workers to feed and people who live far enough from the grocery store that they can only make a trip every fortnight.

“The irony here is that these stations are the ones growing the food that supermarkets are putting on their shelves.

“Yes, hoarders have put major stress on the supply chains but we’ve got to get this right, now.

“We grow enough food for 75 million people and for any Australian to go without in this situation is just not on.

“COVID-19 is affecting us all and I urge the supermarket giants to step up and not leave rural and remote communities disadvantaged.”

ENDS