NATIONALS FORCE LABOR TO CALL ACCC SUPERMARKET PRICING AND COMPETITION INQUIRY

Federal Member for Riverina Michael McCormack has welcomed the announcement of an Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) inquiry into supermarket pricing and competition.

The announcement finally comes after Mr McCormack and his Nationals’ colleagues have been calling for the inquiry since last year to help deal with spiralling cost-of-living pressures for regional and rural Australians. 

Mr McCormack said the delay in announcing the inquiry had already caused further hip pocket pain for struggling families throughout the Riverina and Central West.

“It seems it cost taxpayers more than $500,000 and a cost-of-living meeting in Canberra this week for Labor to come up with an idea The Nationals had already flagged,” Mr McCormack said.

“People have been seriously suffering from a lack of action from this Labor Government – I just hope this measure isn’t a case of too little, too late for those residents in the Riverina and Central West who have been up against the wall for some time.

“Labor could have started the ACCC investigation before Christmas but unnecessarily delayed taking action.

“The ACCC has the powers to properly investigate as part of a dedicated inquiry to ensure fairness for farmers and consumers and the Government dragging its feet to make a decision already suggested by The Nationals is alarming.

“While Labor spent last year distracted on a $450 million failed Voice Referendum, price disparity between the farmgate and the supermarket checkout was allowed to escalate out of control.”     

It comes on top of the Food and Grocery Code Review being conducted more than one year after The Nationals urged Labor to bring the review forward.

“The Nationals tried to bring forward the much-needed review more than a year ago, back in 2022, when we identified unfair supermarket behaviour and the need for urgent action, but Labor dismissed it,” Mr McCormack said.

“It was obvious the cost-of-living crisis started in 2022, when The Nationals requested Labor to begin the Food and Grocery Code of Conduct Review as soon as possible.

“The Review could have been done and dusted, with decisions already implemented, to help farmers and families and try to stop them from being ripped off over Christmas last year.

“This is the most important issue facing families yet Labor simply ignored warnings and have been flat-footed. Labor must now act quickly and give Riverina and Central West farmers and families in the answers they need and deserve.”