An inquiry into supermarket price gouging is set to be expanded under proposed changes by Queensland’s opposition.
Premier Steven Miles has proposed a parliamentary inquiry into the gap between grocery prices and what farmers are being paid for their produce amid a cost of living outcry.
Major supermarkets will face the inquiry to be run by a parliamentary committee after Mr Miles met with Coles, Woolworths and Aldi.
The committee and terms of reference are yet to be announced.
The LNP on Tuesday said it would ensure the terms were expanded to include how government decisions had contributed to the rise in electricity, transport, insurance and water.
The opposition will seek to negotiate with crossbenchers to secure their support in amending the inquiry’s terms of reference.
LNP leader David Crisafulli said the most critical contributors towards cost of living should be included in the inquiry.
“Queenslanders expect their government to do everything in its power to drive down costs, not be the reason cost of living is skyrocketing,” he said.
Mr Miles has conceded that regulating supermarket powers rests with the federal government.
However, the state government is still keen to examine concerns raised by Queenslanders and producers amid cost of living constraints.
He said the terms of reference for the inquiry would be released soon.
“I accept that most of the powers to regulate the supermarket’s rests with the Australian government,” he told reporters on Tuesday.
“But that doesn’t mean our parliament shouldn’t have a close look at what are two big and powerful institutions that have a massive impact on the lives of Queenslanders and on the lives of our farmers.”
Mr Miles said the terms of reference would outline an inquiry that would scrutinise supermarkets in good faith.
“As well as hear from our farmers and our peak farming organisations about just what they’re experiencing,” he said.
Greens MP Michael Berkman called the Labor government and LNP’s inquiry demands a “talkfest”.
“Labor and the LNP are the Coles and Woolies of politics – they both offer voters the same bad deals,” he said.
“The Greens have no issue with an expanded inquiry but it’s pretty obvious a talkfest won’t solve anything unless the major parties are willing to actually crack down on corporate profiteering.”
The premier said it would be beneficial for experts including Australian Competition and Consumer Commission former chair Rod Sims to appear at the inquiry.
Supermarket chains have come under scrutiny after recording large profits while consumers struggle with cost of living pressures.
The proposed inquiry comes after Queensland emerged as “ground zero” of Australia’s cost of living crisis, with a study revealing Brisbane led the nation in rent, energy, insurance and health price hikes.
This post was originally published on Michael West.
