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Kate Hook demands accountability and transparency in supermarket pricing

MEDIA RELEASE Tuesday 28 January 2025 

Independent candidate for Calare, Kate Hook, has called for stronger protections against price gouging, better support for local producers, and greater competition in the sector to drive prices down as part of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) investigation into supermarket pricing. 

 

Local farmers and small businesses are the backbone of our communities in Calare. We need policies that empower them and foster a fairer, more competitive market where everyone benefits—not just the big corporations. I’ve spoken to local producers who have chosen to pull their products from the big supermarkets due to unfair pricing and treatment. These are the people who feed Australians, they need a fair reward for their hard work.

 

With the government’s ongoing Senate inquiry into supermarket pricing and the ongoing ACCC investigation, instigated by the Albanese government this time last year, Ms Hook emphasised the need for these reviews to actually start delivering real outcomes for consumers.

 

The ACCC inquiry is a positive step, but investigations alone are not enough. These inquiries must be robust, independent, free from undue influence by powerful industry players but also create action and real change.” 

 

“I look forward to seeing the final report from the ACCC, due in February but given that previous recommendations of the Senate committee have been rejected by Senators from both Labor and the Coalition, we have to ask, who are the major parties working for? Bowing to industry pressure only serves to undermine public trust and perpetuate a system where large corporations profit at the expense of families, farmers, and small businesses. The parties really don’t get how the hip pockets of the public are impacted by the behaviours of the supermarkets. Action speaks louder than words and it's well overdue. The ACCC’s findings need to be followed by real change.

 

Ms Hook has pledged to stand firm against any attempts to weaken these inquiries, dilute their findings or negate real action given the influence the supermarkets have on the political parties through financial donations.

This is yet another area where independent members of parliament, who are not beholden to corporate interests, are able to bring community-led solutions to issues that the major parties have been too fearful to discuss. As a regional, community independent, I’m passionate about ensuring our producers get a fairer deal and that people don’t continue to struggle to put food on the table while the supermarket duopoly feasts on record profits. 

 

“Voters want leaders who will stand tough against big companies squeezing our primary producers in the paddock, and our mums and dad's at the till. That's why they're turning away from the major parties, and increasingly voting for independents who listen, and who they trust to act."

 

We need to have a sensible discussion about addressing monopolies/duopolies which are market failures. 

 

The federal government should intervene in market failures - the monopoly power of the major supermarkets is a market failure and farmers and families are paying the price of their abuses such as price gouging and land banking to prevent competition,” Ms Hook said. 

 

Both the former head of the ACCC, as well as the final report of the senate enquiry called for divestiture powers over the supermarkets - this is a contentious issue but that shouldn’t mean it can’t be sensibly debated. However, real action is missing.

 

Our government has a responsibility to ensure transparency and fairness in the marketplace. If elected, I will fight to ensure that the recommendations from the ACCC are implemented fully, without hesitation or compromise, and in a timely manner without unnecessary delays” she said.

 

As part of her campaign commitment to integrity and transparency in politics, Ms Hook stressed the importance of ensuring that inquiries and policy decisions are free from corporate influence and driven solely by the interests of the community.

 

Integrity and transparency are at the core of what I stand for. Our communities need representatives who are willing to challenge powerful interests and advocate for decisions that benefit everyday Australians, not just those with the deepest pockets,” Ms Hook said.

 

She has also called for stronger protections to prevent unfair practices that exacerbate the cost-of-living crisis.

 

The people of Calare are struggling under the weight of skyrocketing grocery prices, and it’s time we hold the major supermarket chains to account.” Ms Hook continued “The profit margin of Woolworths has gone from 4.7% in 2019 to 6.1% in 2024 - they've been putting up prices under the cover of inflation to improve their quarterly earnings on the back of our grocery bills.

 

Ms Hook concluded by reaffirming her commitment to standing up for the people of Calare and ensuring the government prioritises fairness and accountability in the face of rising living costs.

 

The people have spoken over and over again and I intend on being their voice in Canberra. Australians deserve a fair go. It’s time we put the interests of people and producers ahead of profits of the supermarkets and the coffers of the political parties, and build a fairer, more equitable system for everyone.”

 

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