The Nationals’ public pressure applied to Woolworths and Coles is helping to keep shelf prices steady at the big supermarkets, Member for Mallee Dr Anne Webster says.

Former Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) Chair Allan Fels told the Senate Inquiry into grocery prices this week that the spotlight on two supermarket giants’ market power was making them “more restrained”.

Mr Fels said:

“…the reputation in the spotlight will make them (Woolworths and Coles) more restrained on their pricing … Reputation really counts for supermarkets and while you have scrutiny of them that has an effect.”

“For years the Nationals have been in the public domain advocating and laser focused on providing cost-of-living relief for families at the checkout and a fairer deal for farmers in the supply chain,” Dr Webster said. “That pressure is paying off for consumers because it is clear grocery prices would have been much worse without the heat the Nationals are applying.”

“By contrast, the Albanese Labor Government have been slow to do very little. They delayed their own review into the Food and Grocery Code, despite The Nationals offering bipartisan support more than a year ago. The Albanese Labor Government were embarrassed into an ACCC inquiry into grocery prices. Labor’s preferred inquiry with former Labor Minister Craig Emerson delivered interim findings this month similar to what the Nationals were offering 15 months ago, yet the final findings won’t be delivered until June. This Federal Government has been distracted by a $450 million referendum and their other pet projects while Australians struggle to get by.”

The Senate Inquiry continues with a final report to be presented by May 7, but Dr Webster said the Government needed to act fast to support Australian families and workers.

“We need to ensure there is fairness and transparency from the farm gate to people’s plates and we need to make sure this happens as soon as possible,” Dr Webster said.

“Australians need action to lower the cost of living and protect Australia’s economy into the future. The ball is in Federal and State Labor’s court with budgets delivered next month.  The Nationals in Coalition are holding Labor to account for failing to address cost-of-living pressure for Australians. “