CDU EXPERT: Fuel crisis causing inequitable access to health care and food security

26 MARCH, 2026  

Who: Professor of Indigenous Health Yvette Roe, Director of the Molly Wardaguga Institute for First Nations Birth Rights at Charles Darwin University. 

Topics: 

• Rising fuel prices and the impact this will have on food security and the health and well-being of mums and bubs  

• Food security 

Contact details: Call +61 8 8946 6721 or email [email protected] to arrange an interview. 

Quotes attributable to Professor Yvette Roe: 

“Aboriginal women and girls in this in our remote Territory communities experience some of the poorest sexual, reproductive, maternal, infant, and child health outcomes in Australia (e.g. preterm birth rates are regularly the highest in the country at 18-22%). Acute poverty, overcrowding, limited employment opportunity and food security are key socio-economic determinants for a thriving mother and baby during across the life course.  

“Mums and babies who require regular check-ups, antenatal care, and access to nutritious food and prenatal vitamins are most at risk of poor health outcomes driven by unsustainable fuel prices. Poor health outcomes for babies increases the risk of illnesses, cognitive development and chronic disease in adulthood.  

“In remote areas, 46% of household incomes earn under $500 per week compared to 26% of houses in non-remote areas. While fuel prices have doubled recently, and predicted to rise further, this burden is set to be passed onto food and consumables for remote communities. As mothers and young family’s costs rise, there is now concerned that remote areas are facing starvation, and lack of sanitary and medical items if relief cannot be provided. We can expect to see health outcomes plummet if mothers aren’t supported with financial relief to access health care, food, and medications through this period.   

“The Government can show its support for the most vulnerable Australians, and back public opinion that supports further incentives to secure food security. Australians feel that the government has both the power, and an obligation to right structural wrongs faced by remote communities, that are now seeing mothers and children without food, medical or infant supplies due to fuel prices.”