Anthony Albanese under fire for rejecting an attempt to overhaul supermarket behavior a year ago
Anthony Albanese's government has been summoned after it emerged that it had rejected a request for an accelerated investigation into the conduct of supermarket giants.
The Prime Minister has left the door open to expanding the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's powers to align supermarkets amid concerns about price increases due to the cost of living crisis.
But Nationals leader David Littleproud said action could have been taken a year ago if the Government had accepted his support to bring forward the review of the food and grocery code of conduct by 12 months.
“The Prime Minister said on Tuesday that his government was concerned and they are prepared to do whatever is necessary,” Littleproud said on Wednesday.
“Well, they had an opportunity and they turned their backs on it. What we're saying is, let's not have any more reviews.'
Anthony Albanese's government has been summoned after it emerged it had rejected a request to expedite an investigation into the conduct of supermarket giants
Former Trade and Competition Secretary Craig Emerson was appointed last week to review the code – a voluntary scheme that governs how supermarkets deal with suppliers.
Mr Albanese has indicated that he is prepared to make that code mandatory if retailers fail to pass on lower prices.
However, Mr Littleproud said struggling Australians cannot wait for Dr. Emerson is completed.
He said he had written to Mr Leigh in December 2022 expressing his party's support for bringing forward the review by a year, but it did not go ahead.
“Let's actually make the code mandatory,” Mr Littleproud said.
'Let's introduce divestment powers. Let's have strong legislation that we can all buy into, and walk away from, and then give the ACCC a chance to investigate.
'They need to actually look at the price increases that are taking place on fresh meat and fresh produce.'
With a by-election in Melbourne's Dunkley electorate next month or early March, Albanese is trying to convince voters he is dealing with the cost of living.
The Prime Minister has left the door open to expanding the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's powers to align supermarkets amid concerns over prices amid the cost of living crisis (stock image)
Speaking on Wednesday morning, Mr Albanese said he was willing to give the consumer watchdog more powers to investigate food prices, but only if chairman Gina Cass-Gottlieb asks.
“I know they're looking at it very closely because people are really concerned that if you've seen a drop in prices paid to farmers like our sheep farmers, that this hasn't flowed through as quickly as it should. in prices at the box office,” he said.
“And that is being investigated.”
Ms Cass-Gottlieb has also indicated that she is 'cautiously' considering legal action over alleged misleading pricing.
Mr Albanese said he is doing “whatever it takes” to bring down prices.
“We want to make sure people pay the lowest possible prices when they get to the checkout,” he said.