Labor’s ‘updated’ penalties in Food and Grocery Code of Conduct “embarrassing”

Leader of The Nationals David Littleproud has labelled Labor’s updated infringement notice penalties in its planned Food and Grocery Code of Conduct as embarrassing and insulting to Australian families and farmers.

Mr Littleproud said after Labor realised its original infringement notice penalty of $187,000 in the Code wouldn’t be enough, the best Labor could do was increase the penalty to just $198,000.

“In what parallel universe does Labor think an $11,000 increase in an infringement fine is enough to deter the supermarkets from unfair behaviour?” Mr Littleproud said.

“Supermarkets could pull that out of a till in any city supermarket. The cost-of-living crisis is today, there are families who won’t be able to put food on the table this Christmas.

“Labor’s ‘increase’ in an infringement notice penalty to less than $200,000 just makes them look out of touch. The only way to change culture within supermarkets is to adopt the Coalition’s plan, where infringement notice penalties are $2 million.”

Mr Littleproud added Labor’s Food and Grocery Code of Conduct won’t be made mandatory until almost four months after Christmas.

“Labor’s penalties hardly strike fear. Labor has treated our families and farmers with disdain and contempt as Australians head to the supermarket in the lead-up to Christmas.

“Labor has also confirmed the mandatory code won’t come into effect until 1 April, 2025, replacing the voluntary code. Families need cost-of-living relief now and especially during Christmas.

“The Coalition called for the code to be made mandatory with significant penalties in late 2022 and then for a price inquiry into the disparities between farmgate and retail pricing at Australia’s major supermarkets.

“If Labor had taken our advice when the Coalition began calling for changes, families could have seen action earlier and would be enjoying a cheaper Christmas this year.

“Labor hasn’t given the critical issue of supermarket price gouging and its impact the respect it deserves. Labor has failed families and failed farmers this Christmas.”