Households would save on 30 essential grocery products under a cap on prices put forward by the Queensland Greens.
The price of basic essential items such as milk, bread, eggs and nappies would be tied and linked to January 2024 wages so that wages match price growth, the Greens said.
The minor party, which has two MPs in Queensland parliament, will set up a Fair Prices Authority in the hope of breaking up a duopoly held by supermarket giants Coles and Woolworths.
For the Greens to legislate their proposed Fair Prices Authority, it would require government support as the three-term Labor government holds a majority before the October 26 state election.
Queensland had held an inquiry in 2024 into supermarket pricing that was tasked with investigating supply chains between primary producers, supermarkets and consumers.
A report from the inquiry found consumers are at a disadvantage due to the dominant market share held by Coles and Woolworths.
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It also made eight recommendations including introducing a farmers’ commissioner to act as a central point of contact between producers, to report on the difference between farmgate and supermarket prices and be able to complain about adverse behaviours.
Cost-cap measures are used overseas and there is no reason the same cannot be used in Queensland, Greens MP Amy MacMahon said.
Source Agencies
