Warrabri Bakery

The quarantining of payments at Ali Curung had a particularly bad effect on the Warrabri Bakery. The problem is still being solved.

One of the greatest benefactors of the quarantining of payments in communities like Ali Curung is the government owned (IBA) Outback Stores. Ali Curung community reluctantly agreed to allow Outback Stores to operate for a period of 12 months. They are unable to compete with Warrabri Bakeries lower prices.

Andrew Tsavaris had to fight hard to be treated equally with Outback Stores and was interviewed several times on ABC radio.


Intervention fall out


Unfair discrimination could put Warrabri Bakery out of business. Servicing Ali Curung since 1979,the bakery is an integral part of the history of Ali Curung.

“I just want equal rights” says Warrabri Bakeries owner Andrew Tsavaris.

Quarantining welfare payments to the community seemed like a good idea to Andrew Tsavaris so he was quick to sign the agreement with Centrelink to work with them to get the process in place. Andrew bought $6000 worth of computers and subjected himself to a rigorous credit check by the federal police.

About three weeks ago there was phone call. Deloites and Centrelink saying they would not licence his shop to be part of the intervention initiative of quarantining centrelink payments to Aboriginals. Essentially this could mean the end of his business.

Andrew says he is being discriminated against in favour of the Ali Curung store recently taken over by Outback Stores.

Andrew said “local people want to use our shop to buy food on weekends public holidays and after 4.30PM. We work 365 days a year to service the community. Since 1979 we have had an agreement with the Ali Curung shop to open at these times. We have never broken the agreement”

With all the quarantine money being controlled by Bush Store Andrew fears that people will have no money to shop else ware. “People come here yo buy food but they can’t. Their money is tied up at the other store. Outback Stores is going to open the Ali Curung shop on Saturdays. This is not part of our original agreement with the community.”

Warrabri Bakery sponsors the local football team, the football carnival and support traditional events in the community. He also gives the junior footballer$100 per week to pay for fuel to Tennant Creek and back to play matches.

Ali Curung is home for they Tsavaris family. His father, Mick, started the bakery in 1979. There have been set backs. The original bakery burnt down in 2002. Rather than leave the community, Andrew decided to stay on and borrowed the money to start again. They have been here for 29 years. Andrew is married to a local girl and has raised three of his own children and four adopted children including 2 orphans.