A FAIR GO FROM FARM GATE TO PLATE!

As the cost-of-living crisis worsens and Australians are feeling more pressure on their wallets than ever before, the Federal Member for Dawson, Andrew Willcox, is backing the Coalition’s new supermarket policy for stronger penalties for anti-competitive behaviour.

In an announcement made this week, the Coalition is “standing up for Australian small businesses, farmers, and consumers” by delivering stronger penalties as they look to introduce sector-specific divestiture powers as a last resort.

“The cost-of-living pressures in Australia right now are having catastrophic impacts on individuals and families,” Mr Willcox said.

“In my electorate of Dawson, we are hearing from parents who have to choose between feeding themselves or feeding their kids, and my southern colleagues are hearing from families who are having to choose between heating and eating this winter.

“Despite the Albanese Labor Government promising that life would be ‘cheaper’ under them, in the two years since they took government food prices have increased by 11.4 per cent.

“My colleagues and I have been talking about supermarket price-gouging for well over a year now, and while we welcome the ACCC inquiry into this issue, the time for this policy has come.

“The measures announced are about restoring fairness for consumers, for families, for suppliers, and for farmers.

“The duopoly we are seeing between the two supermarket giants has gone on for far too long and I don’t believe big corporate entities should have the power to play God by putting Australian’s ability to feed themselves at risk.”

The divestiture powers will address serious allegations of land banking, anti-competitive discounting, and unfairly passing costs onto suppliers and Mr Willcox said there will be “appropriate safeguards in place” to ensure divestiture won’t lead to a loss of jobs and services.  

This policy will strengthen the Food and Grocery Code by making it mandatory for supermarket chains with annual turnover of more that $5billion for the current signatories – Woolworths, Coles, Aldi and Metcash.

There will also be increased penalties for breaches of the code and a Supermarket Commissioner established to act as an impartial and confidential avenue for farmers and suppliers to have their grievances heard, assisting to address the “fear of retribution” which Mr Willcox knows is a major concern for the industry.

“As a farmer by trade, I know this industry intimately, and I know how intimidating it can be for farmers and suppliers to speak up. These supermarket giants have so much power over your business and can be the difference between you making a living or not.

“The Coalition is standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Australian families and Australian farmers. We believe that families deserve access to affordable fresh food, and farmers and suppliers deserve fair prices.

“We know that competitive markets benefit everyone by ensuring lower prices, creating more employment opportunities, and fostering innovation.

“That is why we are committed to supporting consumers and smaller businesses by delivering competition policy and we will not bow to pressure from big corporations and lobbyists like Labor do.

“In the last two years, too many people have suffered, and Australia deserves better.

“A Coalition Government will get Australia back on track,” Mr Willcox said.