The federal Government’s controversial Northern Territory income management scheme has been branded a nutritional failure, with indigenous communities continuing to load up on junk food despite stringent measures meant to boost fruit and veggie sales.
The findings of damning scientific study of the impact of income management, read quietly into Senate Estimates in Darwin on February 15, reveal the scheme has had “no effect on fruit and vegetable sales or turnover” in the Territory.
Under income management, 50% of welfare payments are quarantined by the government to encourage a healthy diet. But the study, conducted by the Darwin-based Menzies School of Health Research, says fresh produce continues to linger on outback shelves.
“Against a background of increases in total store sales and in all commodities before income management at a rate consistent with inflation, income management appeared to have no effect on total store sales, food and drink sales, tobacco sales and fruit and vegetable sales.”
Menzies surveyed 10 stores operated by the Arnhem Land Progress Association across the Territory, with the findings based on sales data gathered 18 months before and 18 months after income management began in August 2007.
The study found that while sugary soft drink sales initially declined, after six months of income management they were still higher than before the program began.
Its authors, Julie Brimblecombe and Adam Barnes, said the full results will soon be published in a leading academic journal.
Megan Ferguson, an Outback nutritionist, said there was clear evidence that, when faced with shortfalls in quarantined income “people then go and put things back. In fact, what they are putting back is fruit and vegetables”.
The Senate is currently conducting an inquiry into the scope of the intervention as indigenous affairs minister Jenny Macklin moves to extend welfare quarantining across the country by 2012.
The Menzies results appear to contradict another study released last year, that claimed store operators were selling more fresh food under the $807 million intervention. Macklin’s department said the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare [AIHW] research proved two-thirds of people income-managed “had a positive view” of the program.
However, AIHW director Penny Allbon later distanced herself from the findings amid major ethical concerns over how the data was gathered.
“There was a limited amount of quantitative data on which to base the evaluation findings … [and] client interviews included only a relatively small number of clients (76), from four locations, who were not randomly selected,” Dr Allbon said.
Yesterday, the United Nations’ special rapporteur on indigenous rights, James Anaya, accused the Rudd Government of “racism” over the intervention, disputing whether its decision to reinstate the Racial Discrimination Act would ensure Australia meets its international human rights obligations.
A spokesperson for Macklin said she hadn’t seen the Menzies report and would only comment once it was formally released.
Did anyone see the article on the cost and quality of fruit and veg in the NT a few months ago? Horrific prices, up to 3 and 4 times the cost in NSW and not fresh at all – looked awful. I noticed that brussel sprouts at one major supermarket was over $8 yesterday; parsnips which have been between $5-$8 were almost $19 per kilo! Even tomatoes were up a few dollars. If they’re that price on the south coast of NSW, how bad must they be in the NT?
There was a community garden in one area in the NT, operated by people under the CDEP program, but with Howard’s intervention and quarantine policies, that one was scrapped – the end of growing at least some of their own food. You’d think the Federal govt would ensure that plenty of fresh food at a reasonable cost was available, but that would be asking too much wouldn’t it? No wonder the children’s teeth are in a bad state – I don’t suppose there’s any dentists around either? Worse than depressing!
The 7 yr inquiry into housing proved, that not only were there not enough houses, those that were available didn’t have adequate areas to prepare fresh food – in many cases, no running water, no adequate washing facilities and no locks on doors either? Sanitation is horrific, and garbage collection is non-existent in many communities.
But let’s ‘bash’ the people over the head, as if it’s their doing. The same as the comparison between the two schools on the 7.30 Report last night – just disgraceful, criminal really. The Rudd govt, after Howard is doing a good job of providing the go ahead for those mining companies with the 400 or so applications – only 180 a few yrs ago. That’s what this is all about people! Nothing to do with care or concern for kids!
We living and working in the Northern Territory and interacting on a daily basis with Aboriginal people affected by the Intervention have known for a long time that the government’s so-called ‘evidence’ is flawed if not dishonest. Macklin’s previous statements that people are buying more fresh food under income management is a furphy – of course one shop will be selling more if people are forced to shop there. Where did they shop previously? Probably at cheaper supermarkets in larger towns. Hunting for bush food must be harder with less cash for fuel or car repairs etc. This whole intervention and income management regime is a huge waste of money. What is the hidden agenda? Get people off their land, or force them to ‘train’ for menial labouring jobs. Or work for the dole and get paid with Basics card. No wonder Coles profits have increased so much.
MILANGKA – Hi, I’ve also read that people in remote communities have to pool their money and take a taxi to the large town, city etc to buy their food at the designated supermarkets, rather than be able to use their community store like before? It can cost hundreds of dollars – what a waste of money. I’ve also read, that they don’t have money for funerals or even some social activity such as they’d be.
The hidden agenda is much the same as it was from the beginning, particularly when the pastoralists wanted to ‘use’ their land, and then came mining etc. Herd them into areas where they were ‘easy’ to manage. It’s beyond horrific isn’t it?
It’s hard for people down south to do much, except of course to annoy Macklin and others, and keep educated re what’s happening. Richard Downs and his people had the right idea – they just walked off and are going to make their own futures, independent of government paternalism. I wish I had money, I’d help out! They’re getting a lot of support from unions etc.
The National Indigenous Times(in Canberra) cover all areas of indigenous peoples’ struggles, so there’s no excuse for us to be ignorant these days. You might recall, that when Howard was in, the Australian Federal Police raided their offices looking for evidence of a govt leak – they were disappointed!
…Macklin’s department said the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare [AIHW] research proved two-thirds of people income-managed “had a positive view” of the program…. Their media release was based on 76 people on four communities being asked such questions as “Do you spend more on fruit and vegetables now you’re on Income Management”. A hypothetical answer might be “I certainly do since prices have gone up such a lot”.
Meanwhile the propaganda barrage continues. Tony Abbott, whose main worry seems to be that the Intervention might be watered down, is quoted in the ABC News website of 14th.Feb to have said:
“I very much doubt that the Government has had any serious consultation with the women of Hermannsburg for instance, or the women of Yuendumu for instance, who have been so supportive of the intervention, particularly the welfare quarantining aspects”.
So I thought I’d do a quick Macklin style “survey”. I went up to five Yuendumu women that were waiting for our Post Office to open… “Nyarrpa kampajulu purda-nyanyi Interventioniki?” the unanimous answer was “Pungku” (any linguistst familiar with Warlpiri please excuse my errors). A similar question about the Income Management Basic Card got the same response. Followed by a lengthy discussion about “we know how to feed our kids” and “prices in the Intervention shop are too high” and “why they allways quote the women, what about the men?” and “we now have less money to buy clothes” and on and on in a mixture of English (for my sake) and Warlpiri.
I suppose I should now put out a media release under the heading “100% of Yuendumu Women are strongly opposed to the Intervention, particularly the welfare quarantining aspects”
and incidentally Tony Abbott hasn’t consulted with the women of Yuendumu either.
Tony you’re a walkanji.
If there is water (in any community, urban or outback) there is no reason not to grow food.