It’s not just supply chain costs — it’s a lack of competition. Coles and Woolworths control more than 70% of supermarket sales—one of the highest market concentrations in the world.

• They squeeze farmers and suppliers into unfair contracts.
• They control where new stores open, keeping competitors out.
• They manipulate discounts and labelling, making it hard for customers to tell if they’re getting a better deal.

I’ll work to change this by advocating to:

Prevent anti-competitive behaviour by the big supermarkets: Stop anti-competitive land banking, where supermarkets buy up property to block competitors from entering the market. Incentivise independent supermarkets by offering grants and incentives for smaller grocery retailers to set up.

Impose real penalties for price gouging: Increase ACCC funding to proactively investigate and prosecute misleading pricing and price gouging. Legislate higher penalties for repeat offenders to discourage unethical pricing strategies.

Expand pricing transparency by requiring supermarkets to publish what proportion of the sale price of a product (e.g., bread, milk, fresh produce) actually goes to the farmer—just like superannuation funds disclose fees and returns.