Member for Barker Tony Pasin MP says an elected Coalition Government would stand up for Australian small businesses, farmers, and consumers by delivering stronger penalties for anti-competitive behaviour in the supermarket and hardware sectors.

The Coalition has announced their policy to introduce sector-specific divestiture powers as a last resort to manage supermarket behaviour and address supermarket price-gouging.

The measures are intended to restore fairness for consumers, suppliers, and for farmer while appropriate safeguards will ensure divestiture won’t lead to a loss of jobs and services.

The Coalition will also strengthen the Food and Grocery Code by making it mandatory for supermarket chains with annual turnover of more than $5 billion for the current signatories – Woolworths, Coles, Aldi and Metcash. Supermarkets will face infringement notices of up to $2 million for contraventions of the Code.

These punitive penalties will be backed by a new Supermarket Commissioner, who will act as an impartial confidential avenue for farmers and suppliers.

This new appointment will be created to address the fear retribution for speaking out against supermarkets. A Supermarket Commissioner will provide information and receive complaints, which can then be provided to the ACCC.

Mr Pasin said families and consumers deserve access to affordable fresh food, and farmers and suppliers deserve fair prices – without supermarket interference or price-gouging.

“The Coalition is committed to delivering competition policy which supports consumers and smaller businesses and farmers– not the big corporations and lobbyists,” Mr Pasin said.

“Competitive markets benefit everyone by ensuring lower prices, creating more employment opportunities, and fostering innovation.”

Mr Pasin said under the Albanese Labor Government inflation was putting pressure on household budgets and forcing families to make tough decisions.

“After two years of Labor, food prices have increased by 11.4 %. Over three failed Budgets, Labor has made the wrong decisions and had the wrong priorities.

“The Coalition will get Australia back on track and stand up for small businesses, farmers, and consumers by delivering stronger penalties for anti-competitive behaviour in Australia’s supermarket sector.

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