Labor’s Food and Grocery Code of Conduct Review launched 100 days ago and spruiked by agriculture minister Murray Watt as Labor’s action against supermarket price gouging still lacks a reviewer to start its work, Nationals leader David Littleproud said in a statement today.

David Littleproud

Mr Littleproud said Labor had wasted 100 days of a 272-day review that it claimed could increase price transparency and penalties on supermarkets, while families and farmers continued to be ripped off at the checkout and farmgate in a cost-of-living crisis.

“It’s now 100 days since Labor announced a Review to report by 30 June, 2024, which was meant to be its solution for suppliers dealing with supermarkets and price transparency for families at the checkout, but Labor still hasn’t appointed a reviewer,” Mr Littleproud said.

“How can a reviewer report by its due date of 30 June, when it doesn’t even exist?”

The assistant minister for competition, Dr Andrew Leigh released the terms of reference on October 3, with agriculture minister Murray Watt claiming on a November 14 Sunrise interview:

“It’s not just words from us, we’ve actually already started a review of what’s called the Food and Grocery Code, which regulates the dealings between retailers and their suppliers to make sure that it’s much more transparent. It’s quite possible that as a result of that review, we’ll see penalties on retailers increased. So we are already taking action on these issues.”

Mr Littleproud said the delays follow further evidence of price disparity on the cost of fruit and vegetables in supermarkets, which demanded an Australian Competition and Consumer Commission price inquiry.

A recent survey by AusVeg found record-low morale and more than 30 percent of Australian vegetable growers are considering leaving the industry this year, with labour shortages, policy changes and rising operational costs their major concerns.

“The Nationals have been calling for an ACCC price inquiry into supermarket price gouging, which as an independent watchdog would have greater power to act and compel supermarket CEOs to give evidence,” Mr Littleproud said.

“Our growers and farmers need the confidence to get their fair share, to know they can negotiate in good faith and get paid on the right terms. Families and farmers deserve better than Labor’s failure to act.”

Source: Nationals