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3 YEARS LATER RUDD FINALLY ACTS ON RIDICULOUS GROCERY PRICES

Press Releases January 22 2010

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After almost three years the Rudd Government has finally woken up to soaring grocery prices and looks set to act by restricting the market domination of Coles and Woolworths, Family First Leader Senator Steve Fielding said today.

“Australians have been ripped off at the checkout counter for way too long paying more for food than people in the UK and US,” Senator Fielding said.

“It’s ridiculous how much Australians are overpaying for their groceries because Coles and Woolworths have killed off all the competitors.

Family First introduced its Trade Practices (Creeping Acquisitions) Amendment Bill in 2007 to stop the big chains like Woolworths and Coles from squeezing out small operators and to gives shoppers more choice and more control over where they spend their money.

“I can’t believe its taken almost three years for the Rudd Government to get its act together to do something which has been sitting right in front of their faces since 2007.

“Families should be disappointed by the fact that the Government has waited until an election year to roll out this policy and I question how genuine they really are on this issue.

“Some action is certainly better than none at all because fair competition is vital to keeping prices as low as possible for consumers.

“ABS figures show basic food items have jumped significantly putting enormous pressure on families to eat good, nutritious foods without breaking the family budget.

“This type of reform is about looking after families, and I’m glad political and public pressure has finally got the government to act.”