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Melina Bath urges deeper cost-of-living exploration for Gippslanders rather than forcing price caps on rural businesses at end of supply chain

Melina Bath criticises the Greens' motion on price caps, emphasising rural challenges in food supply chains and impact on local businesses, advocating for a deeper investigation into cost-of-living issues.

By news@gippsland - 29th November 2023 - Back to News

It actually has been a very entertaining debate today. I have noticed that the government crossbenchers have been sitting on the fence and they have had a foot either side. And I think potentially, as Ms Crozier just said, they have splinters from sitting on the fence. But apparently now they have gone back to their original conversation with the Greens and will be supporting the Greens on this motion. We have been very clear.

Melina Bath opposes Green's motion for potential rural supermarket effects, preferring Motion 267's comprehensive investigation into broader cost-of-living issues

Motion support variance

I know you are surprised at that, Dr Bach, but apparently now they are supporting this motion for a referral. It is motion 242 in Dr Mansfield's name. We would have liked to have seen and would have fully supported motion 267 standing in Dr Ratnam's name. That is a fulsome and wholesome and deep dive into the cost-of-living issues and those affected individuals and families doing it very tough. We would have supported that.

Let me talk about my interests. It has been a wide ranging debate, so I will not cover back over the very good contributions of my Liberal colleagues, but as a National I would like to talk about the country, the regions. First of all, the Greens are very good at putting out, as we have heard, social media posts, but indeed their website talks about the profiteering supermarkets of Coles and Woolworths and the evilness of those.

Rural grocery challenges

I did a bit of a Google search, and I have also been to towns in my electorate. I have looked at Omeo, and I have been to the supermarket in Omeo. Omeo, funnily enough, does not have a large supermarket. It does not have a Coles or a Woolworths, it has a local family-owned FoodWorks.

Indeed Orbost, again a beautiful town that I know very well, has a FoodWorks and an IGA. Also, the median income of people in Orbost is just under $800 per week. They have two supermarkets, not part of that big duopoly - those big evil dudes, according to the Greens - and an average income of $800 per week.

Let us go to the good people in Brunswick. I think it was actually Brunswick East that I looked up. The median weekly income in Brunswick households is $2100, and they have three supermarkets. They have Woolworths, one of those duopolies. They also have Cheaper Buy Miles and a local IGA. Now, I put that on record for when the Greens start to look at options.

Cost of living motion

In this motion 242 from Dr Mansfield we certainly agree with part (1), because it mimics part (1) of the other motion, the other referral to the Legal and Social Issues Committee about the rising cost pressures facing Victoria, their physical and mental health impacts and economic stress. We want to see a deep dive into those. But the second part, 'options available to lower the cost of food', of course is code for price caps on essential items.

We have seen again on their website talk about how all around the world governments are taking a range of actions, such as putting price caps on essentials. Now, if you are putting price caps on essentials, you are also going to punish those people that live in rural and regional Victoria, not only because of the fact that it depends on the supermarket

And these supermarkets operate on very thin margins with locally owned, family-based businesses, and they are employing local people - but because you are often in the region where primary producers are making, growing, producing and trying to sell the product that forms part of that essential food item.

Rising dairy costs

Let us just look at just one factor in terms of that energy supply and food supply chain. If you are looking at, for example, dairying, there have been rising input costs in dairying over the last year. I have contacted a local dairy farmer who said that their monthly electricity bill at the same time last year was $2800 a month and this year was up to $4000 for that month.

So if you are going to put a cap on essential services and you are going to put a cap on essential food, it will be on milk and, I am assuming, the ingredients that go into our daily lives, our daily food sources. You are going to put a cap on farmers' profits, yet their input costs are going up and up and up.

Agricultural supply chain

We also know that in relation to the Victorian Farmers Federation and investing in regional Victoria in their report in 2022 the total annual transport costs in the ag industry was $5.8 billion a year, with supply chain costs often accounting for the single largest cost in agricultural production. And what have we got here?

We have got the Labor government refusing to fund maintenance on roads to the extent it should be. They are cutting costs on maintenance of roads, and we see fuel prices and wear and tear on getting that product from farm gate to market. Also we see the Essential Services Commission talking about the increase in electricity prices.

So this Greens motion that has come up is short-sighted. We need to go to motion 267, which has a deep dive into the real issues. We will certainly not be supporting this. We note that the government has consequently taken the splinters from whence they have come and jumped over to support this, but the Nationals will not be supporting this motion.

Pictures from Melina Bath MP Facebook page.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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  Kurnai College’s Young Parents Program helps Gippsland students complete Year 12, gain VET qualifications, and build confidence, resilience, and life skills while providing onsite childcare and strong community support.
• Danny O'Brien criticises Labor's fast-track renewable energy policy removing Gippslanders' right to appeal development decisions
  Danny O'Brien criticises Labor's fast-track renewable energy policy after Gelliondale Wind Farm reapplies, warning it removes Gippslanders' appeal rights, undermines safeguards, and threatens proper siting of turbines near homes.
• Field and Game petition exceeds 12,000 signatures, prompting Victorian Parliament debate on firearm laws and community safety concerns
  A Field and Game Australia petition, supported by Melina Bath, surpasses 12,000 signatures, prompting Victorian Parliament debate on firearm laws, urging evidence-based policy and protecting law-abiding gun owners.
• Baw Baw Shire secures $102,000 AusNet grant for five rural hall upgrades, emergency generators and community resilience
  Baw Baw Shire secured a $102,000 AusNet Emergency Resilience Grant for five rural halls, funding switchboard upgrades, generators, and community events to improve emergency power readiness.
• Latrobe Health Assembly to continue, thanks to strong community support and new independent, community-owned future
  Defunded in the 2025 State Budget, the Latrobe Health Assembly will continue as a leaner, community-owned organisation tackling local health and wellbeing challenges through collaboration and grassroots leadership.
• East Gippsland Council launches VendorPanel for streamlined, transparent procurement and supports local businesses with information sessions
  From December 2025, East Gippsland Council will use VendorPanel for streamlined procurement, offering online registration, fair opportunities, and information sessions to help local businesses navigate the platform effectively.
• East Gippsland Council launches Buy Local campaign to support businesses, jobs, and community vibrancy this festive season and summer
  East Gippsland Shire Council has launched the Buy Local campaign, encouraging residents to support local businesses, strengthen jobs, and keep the community vibrant throughout the festive season and beyond.
• Danny O’Brien criticises ongoing social housing maintenance delays leaving vulnerable Gippslanders waiting far too long
  Danny O’Brien warns ongoing delays in social housing maintenance leave vulnerable Gippslanders waiting months, highlighting a vacant Foster property and urging timely repairs and better decision-making to address shortages.
• Tim Bull slammed labor for $13M machete amnesty waste, penalising Gippslanders while failing to target urban crime effectively
  Gippsland East MP Tim Bull criticized Labor's $13 million machete amnesty, calling it wasteful, ineffective, and unfairly punishing rural Victorians while targeting areas with no machete problem.
• Free visitor information materials help East Gippsland businesses guide visitors quickly and easily summer
  East Gippsland Shire Council is providing free QR-code posters, stickers and magnets to help businesses quickly connect visitors with maps, attractions, events and essential information via the Visit East Gippsland website.
• East Gippsland Council defers Planning Scheme Amendment, seeks comprehensive review of Rural Land Use Strategy
  East Gippsland Council has deferred Planning Scheme Amendment C170egips, requesting a detailed review of the Rural Land Use Strategy to ensure future agricultural planning meets community needs.
• East Gippsland Business Support Voucher Program boosts small businesses through tailored mentoring and strategic growth guidance
  Orbost Snowy River Cycling benefited from East Gippsland Council Business Support Voucher Program, receiving tailored mentoring that strengthened business planning, resilience, and growth, enabling expansion and long-term success in the region.
• Darren Chester tears down Albanese government's 'lazy' plan to cut regional speed limits, urges investment in safer roads
  Darren Chester has criticised the Albanese government's plan to lower regional speed limits, labelling it "lazy" and urging greater investment in repairing and upgrading unsafe roads to reduce fatalities.
• Over 350 attended Youth Agritech Expo, experiencing hands-on innovation and future opportunities in modern farming industry
  More than 350 people joined East Gippsland's Youth Agritech Expo, where students explored hands-on agricultural innovations, from drones to driverless tractors, sparking fresh excitement about farming's high-tech, diverse, and innovative future.
• Danny O'Brien warns Labor is risking beachgoers safety by forcing councils, ratepayers to cover LSV funding shortfalls
  Danny O'Brien warns the Allan Labor government is forcing Gippsland councils and ratepayers to cover Life Saving Victoria shortfalls, risking reduced lifeguard patrols despite billions in new emergency services taxes.
• Darren Chester commends Metung Holiday Villas owners for strengthening Gippsland's tourism and visitor economy
  Darren Chester has commended Metung Holiday Villas owners Darren and Kristy Penington for their dedication to Gippsland's tourism industry, highlighting their role in supporting local jobs and promoting the region's attractions.
• Bruthen and Buchan town centre upgrades boost tourism, safety, and local businesses with $3.8M government support
  Bruthen and Buchan town centre upgrades, supported by $3.8 million government funding, improve safety, accessibility, tourism, and local business, while celebrating Indigenous culture and supporting bushfire-affected communities.
• Darren Chester commends Mac Waste Group for community commitment and support for Gippsland families
  Darren Chester praised Mac Waste Group for its community commitment, local job creation, youth training initiatives, and support for Gippsland families through its partnership with the Little Jem Foundation and fundraising efforts.
• Tim Bull demands end to brumby shooting as pest and weed control programs face cuts
  Gippsland East MP Tim Bull has urged the state government to scrap its costly brumby shooting program, criticising cuts to pest and weed control services vital for farmers and rural communities.
• South Gippsland Shire Council extends footpath trading permits amid system update and upcoming fee changes
  South Gippsland Shire Council is updating its Footpath Trading Permit system. Current permits are automatically extended until December, with new fees applying next year. Businesses will receive updated information once finalised.
• Martin Cameron criticises Labor’s ensured failure by hastening coal plant closures without planning baseload power replacements
  The Victorian Auditor-General warns a "disorderly energy transition" could cause power shortages, soaring prices, and job losses, with Labor’s accelerated coal closures and mismanaged renewable planning worsening the crisis.
• South Gippsland Shire Council invites you to submit EOI for Coal Creek food vendor on Living Heritage Days by 14 February 2026
  Coal Creek seeks a local food and drink vendor for Living Heritage Days, held monthly from 7 March. Businesses can boost trade and connect with customers. Applications close 14 February.
• East Gippsland Council backs Planning Panel recommendations to guide sustainable growth in Paynesville, Eagle Point
  East Gippsland Council has endorsed independent Planning Panel recommendations to guide Paynesville and Eagle Point’s sustainable growth, infrastructure and environmental protection while reflecting local character.
• Tim Bull criticises Minister Dimopoulos for dismissing G-Wagon concerns, warning Gippsland’s fire preparedness is reduced
  Tim Bull criticises Environment Minister Dimopoulos for dismissing concerns about withdrawn G-Wagon firefighting vehicles, warning Gippsland faces reduced fire preparedness and urging clear answers before the upcoming fire season.
• Danny O’Brien criticises Labor’s $650M Delburn wind farm investment ignoring local community concerns
  Gippsland South MP Danny O’Brien criticises Labor’s $650 million Delburn wind farm investment, calling it a waste of taxpayers’ money that ignores local community concerns about fire, noise, and visual impact.
• Martin Cameron criticises Allan Labor government for neglecting regional PSOs while funding Melbourne stations
  Morwell MP Martin Cameron criticises Allan Labor Government for neglecting regional PSOs, citing rising Gippsland crime and calling for equal safety protections and additional officers under Coalition plans.
• Martin Cameron criticises WorkSafe, calling system flawed after apprentice Byron Foley’s catastrophic injury
  Morwell MP Martin Cameron criticises Victoria’s "fundamentally broken" WorkSafe system, highlighting apprentice Byron Foley’s catastrophic injury, ongoing struggles, and calling for urgent reform, fairer compensation, and better support services.