The ACCC has decided to allow a collective bargaining arrangement between a group of community stores in the remote Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands in the far northwest of South Australia.
The Mai Wiru Stores Group will collectively negotiate terms and conditions with suppliers of essential grocery and supermarket items.
The Mai Wiru Regional Stores Policy was developed in 2000 – 2001 as a participatory planning project carried out by Nganampa Health Council and Ngaanyatjarra Pitjatjantjara Yankunytjatjara Women's Council, in conjunction with APY, and all Aboriginal Communities on the APY Lands. This was the first Indigenous policy of its kind dealing in food security. Incorporating as a separate organisation in 2010, the Mai Wiru Regional Stores Council has been set up with funding from the Australian Government Department of FAHCSIA (Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs) to achieve this goal.
The ACCC considered that the collective negotiation arrangements will help facilitate the reliable supply of essential groceries, which will have a positive effect upon the health and wellbeing of the members of remote indigenous communities in the APY Lands.
Protection afforded by this notification commenced on 21 September 2011 and expires in three years.
