Latest News
• Add My News • Search Old News
David Littleproud criticised Labor's supermarket inquiry as election-driven, failing to curb profiteering and protect familiesNationals leader David Littleproud criticized Labor's supermarket inquiry, calling it election-driven and ineffective. He accused Prime Minister Albanese of failing to tackle price-gouging and outlined the Coalition's plan for stronger regulations. By news@gippsland - 21st March 2025 - Back to News Leader of The Nationals David Littleproud said Labor's supermarket inquiry shows it was designed for a government about to go to an election. Mr Littleproud said the Albanese Labor government had a business-as-usual approach, to protect families and farmers against the major supermarket's profiteering and anti-competitive behaviour. 
Mr. Littleproud said the Coalition's plan includes tougher penalties, ACCC audits, a Supermarket Commissioner, and divestiture powers to stop supermarket price-gouging Supermarket reform stalledMr Littleproud said, "Prime Minister Anthony Albanese pledged on January 16, 2024, 'if the ACCC asks for more powers, then my government will give it to them', after ACCC chief Gina Cass-Gottlieb said she would welcome new powers to break up big business including supermarkets and that those powers would be 'useful to have in the toolkit'. "However, just a month later, after the big supermarkets had obviously got to him, he declared he would rule out divestiture because 'we are not a Soviet country'. Mr Albanese has never been genuine about real change and has played politics while families go without meals tonight. Labor's Mandatory Food and Grocery Code won't take effect until April 1, despite the cost-of-living crisis being now, not April 1, and the Coalition calling for action from 2022." Under Labor, supermarkets can continue to price-gouge on families and ditch suppliers with one simple tarnished product, because Anthony Albanese's measly fine of $198,000 could be pulled out of a till at any city that does nothing to change culture. Anthony Albanese has also been too weak to stand up to the major supermarkets and has had the wrong priorities, making excuse after excuse for three years," he said. Grocery prices surgeThe report found some types of groceries have skyrocketed more than others in price since 2019, such as oils and fats (49%), eggs (47%), milk (34%), cheese (33%), and bread (32%), stating grocery prices have 'increased significantly in Australia and impacted affordability for consumers'. "The inquiry asks for more transparency and reporting but fails to understand that if there's not a consequence for doing the wrong thing, then it's just business-as-usual for the big supermarkets." Mr Littleproud said the Coalition had a strong plan to crack down on major supermarkets and deliver fair prices, that included: - Higher penalties from $2 million on the spot fines, scaling up to $10 million
- Increased powers for the ACCC to conduct random audits of major supermarkets
- Supermarket Commissioner, to act as a confidential avenue for farmers and suppliers, to address the fear of retribution
- Sector-specific divestiture powers, in the hands of the ACCC and the courts, as a last resort to address the behaviour of supermarkets and to put an end to instances of price-gouging
"All families and farmers are asking for a fair price but Labor has let them down. The Coalition will have the back of families and farmers. Our changes will protect families at the checkout and farmers at the farm gate," concluded Mr Littleproud. Pictures from David Littleproud MP Facebook page.
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
Related Articles- David Littleproud urges Australians to support local farmers amid rising imported food and supermarket pressures
Nationals Leader David Littleproud urges Australians to buy local food as farmers face soaring costs, supermarket pressures, and rising imports, warning inaction threatens food security and the future of Australian agriculture. - David Littleproud slams Labor's 2035 emissions reduction target as costly, and damaging to families, jobs, and communities
Nationals leader David Littleproud criticised Labor's 2035 emissions target as reckless and costly, warning it would raise taxes, increase energy bills, hurt regional communities, and threaten jobs, families, and industries. - David Littleproud says farmers won major victory after Labor abandoned its plan to tax unrealised gains on farms held in self-managed super funds
Nationals Leader David Littleproud says farmers have won a major victory after Labor abandoned its plan to tax unrealised gains on farms held in self-managed super funds. - David Littleproud warns vegetable growers of crisis as compliance costs soar, confidence collapses and exits loom
Nationals leader David Littleproud warns Australia's food security is at risk, with two in five growers considering leaving amid rising compliance costs, financial strain, and Labor policies undermining farming viability. - David Littleproud urges Labor to deliver interest-free loans as farmers voice urgent drought forum concerns
Nationals leader David Littleproud says the Drought Forum reinforced urgent calls for interest-free farm loans, urging Labor to act swiftly as farmers face worsening hardship, particularly in South Australia's dairy industry. - David Littleproud says new mapping reveals Labor's renewables damage, strengthening the call for nuclear energy
The Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal has accused the Albanese government of removing veterans' rights to review bravery awards, warning proposed reforms undermine fairness, independence, and recognition of Australia's war heroes. - Melina Bath criticised Labor's plan to create new national parks, locking out long-term bush users
Liberals and Nationals oppose Labor's plan to convert 65,000 hectares into national parks, citing unfair exclusion of bush users despite strong opposition and a 40,000-signature petition against the proposal. - Melina Bath condemns Labor for blocking protest bill and failing to protect police, businesses, and public safety
Labor, backed by the Greens and minor parties, blocked Nationals and Liberals legislation to ban protest face coverings, which Melina Bath said betrayed police, small businesses, and public safety across Victoria. - Latrobe Valley residents invited to crime and community safety forum with Shadow Police Minister David Southwick
Latrobe Valley residents are invited to a free crime and community safety forum with Shadow Police Minister David Southwick on 6 November, hosted by Martin Cameron MP at the Morwell RSL. - 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. - Tim Bull slams government’s restrictive, confusing emergency levy exemptions failing CFA volunteers across Gippsland
Tim Bull says the government’s flawed levy exemptions are too complex and restrictive, leaving CFA volunteers frustrated, excluded, and unsupported, and is urging the Minister to simplify the process. - Nationals pledge to restore Parentline funding, criticise Labor's decision to axe vital family counselling service for Gippslanders
The Nationals vow to reinstate Parentline funding if elected, condemning Labor's cut to the vital family counselling service that supports Victorian parents, particularly in regional communities facing limited access to services. - Farm fencing grants protect 300 hectares of biodiversity and boost waterway health across West Gippsland
Over 300 hectares of farmland will be fenced through West Gippsland CMA's farm fencing grants, protecting waterways, biodiversity, and livestock while supporting sustainable farming and revegetation across the catchment. - Nationals' $100M Safer Communities Plan targets crime crisis with tough laws and prevention programs across Gippsland
Martin Cameron backed a $100 million Safer Communities Plan, promising tougher laws and prevention programs to tackle Victoria's crime crisis, restore community safety, and support at-risk youth, contrasting Labor's cuts. - Danny O'Brien urges families to claim up to $200 for kids' sport through Get Active program by 31 December 2025
Danny O'Brien is urging families to apply for the Get Active Kids program, offering up to $200 for children's sport and recreation costs to ease cost-of-living pressures and encourage participation. - Danny O'Brien slams Labor for decade-long failure to fund replacement CFA stations in Foster and Mirboo North
Danny O'Brien has criticised Labor for failing to replace outdated Foster and Mirboo North CFA stations, saying volunteers face unsafe conditions despite years of promises and growing community contributions. - Danny O'Brien warns faulty firefighting vehicles are leaving local CFA Brigades under pressure ahead of bushfire season
Danny O'Brien has criticised the Allan Labor government for failing to repair faulty firefighting vehicles, warning the issue is placing pressure on CFA brigades and reducing Gippsland's preparedness for bushfire season. - West Gippsland Landcare awarded $337,250 to transform landscapes, protect species, and enhance community green spaces statewide
West Gippsland Landcare volunteers received $337,250 from 2025 Victorian Landcare Grants to restore landscapes, protect endangered species, enhance waterways, plant 30,000 trees, and engage communities in conservation projects. - Melina Bath urges communities to honour veterans' families and support Legacy Week fundraising efforts
Melina Bath urges communities to support Legacy Week, honouring veterans' families. Funds raised provide financial, educational and emotional support, continuing Sir Stanley Savige's century-old vision of care, compassion and mateship. - Baw Baw Shire Council appoints experienced leader Tilla Buden as new chief executive officer commencing on November 2025
Baw Baw Shire Council has appointed Tilla Buden as its new CEO, bringing extensive leadership experience and community focus. She will formally commence in the role on 17 November 2025. - Martin Cameron urges Energy Minister to lift outdated coal overlays blocking 2000 new homes in Traralgon
Nationals MP Martin Cameron criticised Minister Lily D'Ambrosio for refusing to review outdated coal overlays blocking 2000 new homes in Traralgon, despite studies confirming land stability for development.
|
|
