Queensland Premier Steven Miles has announced his government will accept all recommendations from its Supermarket Pricing Select Committee, including the appointment of an interim “Food Farmers Commissioner.”
The government will also launch retail and farm gate price reporting, so consumers can easily see what mark-up supermarkets add to essential goods.
“As I’ve travelled the state Queenslanders have been telling me they’ve been feeling the pinch at the supermarket checkout, paying more for fresh produce while farmers make less,” the premier said when launching the scheme.
“At the same time, producers are saying the big supermarkets are ripping them off at the farm gate too.
“The reforms we plan to implement will mean a fairer go for farmers, consumers and those along the supply chain, beginning with appointing a Food Farmers Commissioner today.”
The Select Committee inquiry examined the causes and effects of increased supermarket prices.
It was held after claims from Queensland farmers and shoppers that supermarkets were treating both groups unfairly, offering farmers “take it or leave it” terms that made production unprofitable, then selling at excessively high prices.
Committee Chair, Bundaberg MP Tom Smith said, “In Bundaberg and across the state, Queenslanders have been paying more at the checkout, while our farmers have been getting less for their produce.
“As the inquiry unfolded, we heard again and again that Queensland growers feel powerless to speak out against the tactics being used against them by the dominant retailers.”
The interim commissioner will be established by legislation and will hold office for 12 months.
Their role will be to assist producers in navigating supplier arrangements with supermarkets and a range of consultative, advisory, mediation, transparency, and advocacy functions.
That was called “an important first step” by Queensland Farmers’ Federation CEO Jo Sheppard.
“As many farmers who produce food for our nation continue to struggle with increasing costs of production, workforce shortages, tightening terms of trade and uncertain market conditions, it is important that we work together to ensure a viable future for farmers.
Government to Try Limit ‘Land Banking’
The government says it will also focus on lowering barriers for small retailers by amending planning rules and limiting “land banking” by capping the number of times supermarkets can roll over approvals without actually commencing construction.Applications for new supermarkets will be actively called for, and their development accelerated.
The Office of Fair Trading will launch an education campaign to enhance Queenslanders’ awareness about the value of unit pricing, consumer rights, and the benefits of buying imperfect or non-premium produce.
There will eventually be further examination into the competitive impacts of the growing click-and-collect and home delivery market, subject to the findings of the ACCC’s Supermarkets Inquiry, which should conclude next year.
The government also plans to enhance the delivery of subsidised freight services across the state through three separate regional assistance packages, and continue the ongoing roll-out of major transport infrastructure to support regional and remote supply chains.
And EastAusMilk will be funded to develop a Queensland Dairy Industry Plan in consultation with industry stakeholders.
The decision was welcomed by Queensland Fruit & Vegetable Growers.
“Food is at the heart of our health, our communities, and our economy,” its CEO Rachel Chambers said.
“The government’s focus on tackling the challenges within our very complex food system is both timely and essential ... [continuing] to advance the efforts initiated by the Supermarket Inquiry shows a real understanding of the importance of food in all our lives and the need to safeguard protect and strengthen the link between what we grow and what we consume.”
