Supermarket reform needed amid vegetable grower exodus

Leader of The Nationals David Littleproud said the latest AUSVEG Industry Sentiment Survey report shows a third of vegetable growers are considering leaving the $5.8 billion industry this year, in a worrying sign amid a cost-of-living crisis.

Mr Littleproud said it is clear vegetable growers are still not getting the support they need to get food from paddock to plate, and almost 50 per cent of vegetable, potato and onion growers consider themselves financially worse off than a year ago.

“Our farmers are clearly struggling,” Mr Littleproud said.

“When supply goes down, prices go up, so 32 per cent of vegetable growers quitting would have huge consequences for families at the supermarket checkout.

“Unfortunately, the industry is going backwards because Labor has treated our farmers with contempt and ignored the Coalition’s calls for supermarket reform as far back as 2022.

“Labor’s Food and Grocery Code of Conduct won’t even come into effect until April this year, despite the cost-of-living crisis being now, not in April.

“Our farmers and families need the Coalition’s plan, which will give the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) powers to audit a supermarket at any time.

“The Coalition’s plan will create a Supermarket Commissioner, to act as a confidential avenue for farmers and suppliers to address the fear of retribution. This will be a gamechanger for farmers and suppliers because it will change culture and protect those who need it most.

“We will also introduce sector-specific divestiture powers – in the hands of the ACCC and the courts, not politicians – as a last resort to address the behaviour of supermarkets and to put an end to instances of price-gouging.

“We will have infringement penalty notices, or on the spot fines, of $2 million, compared with Labor’s measly amount of $198,000, which could be pulled out of a till at any city supermarket and does nothing to change culture.”

Mr Littleproud added the AUSVEG survey comes on top of the recent Jobs and Skills Australia report, which also shows the agricultural industry remains in limbo.

“The Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme has become unviable for employers due to the cost and unworkable requirements.

“The number of PALM workers in agriculture has now fallen by 25 per cent, or more than 5,700 jobs, since Labor meddled with the program in 2023.

“There is also uncertainty around the minimum 30-hour settings. Businesses are making decisions now about engaging PALM workers without knowing what their conditions will be after July 1.

“A future Coalition Government will also bring back the Agriculture Visa, helping farmers get the workers they need to get food from paddock to plate, and we will ensure the 88-day backpacker work visa remains in place.”