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Labor's supermarket legislation fails families and farmers, prioritising bureaucracy over urgent cost-of-living crisis

Labor's supermarket legislation, rushed through Parliament, fails to address the cost-of-living crisis, leaving families and farmers unsupported, with inadequate penalties and no real action on price gouging.

By news@gippsland - 29th November 2024 - Back to News

Labor has failed to prioritise the cost-of-living crisis and supermarket prices, hurting both families and farmers on the final sitting day of Parliament, by ramming through its supermarket legislation in a bungled Bill. Leader of The Nationals David Littleproud said Labor's bad Bill wasn't in isolation of just supermarkets.

Labor delayed and ignored the review by 100 days, imposed minimal penalties, and failed families and farmers when action was most needed

Labor ignores crisis

Mr Littleproud said, "Labor has treated our families and farmers with disdain and contempt. Labor hasn't given the critical issue of supermarket price gouging and its impact on families and farmers the respect it deserves. Labor is out of touch and has shoved the legislation in with a bunch of other issues and acted as if it is simply business as usual. It will not do one thing to fix supermarket prices."

The Treasury Laws Amendment (Fairer for Families and Farmers and Other Measures) Bill 2024 states it is 'A Bill for an act to amend the law relating to the cessation of the registries modernisation program, information and safety standards, Housing Australia, industry codes, taxation, corporations, financial services and foreign acquisition and takeovers, and for other purposes'.

Labor fails families

Mr Littleproud also said, "Labor didn't consult with farmers and didn't make fair supermarket prices for families and farmers a priority. This Bill is messy and incompetent. Labor has made a mess of the single most important issue in Australia right now. It is a complete farce and incredibly disappointing for families in the lead-up to Christmas."

"The Coalition called for the Code to be made mandatory with significant penalties in late 2022 and then for a price inquiry into the disparities between farmgate and retail pricing at Australia's major supermarkets. If Labor had taken our advice when the Coalition began calling for changes, families could have seen action earlier."

"Labor ignored the urgency and then took 100 days to appoint Reviewer Craig Emerson, after a review into the Food and Grocery Code of Conduct was meant to begin. Labor's infringement notice penalties are just $187,700 and most penalties will be just over $1 million. Labor has failed families and failed farmers on the day it mattered most," he said.

Pictures from Jersey Gippsland Facebook page.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com