SENATOR THE HON RICHARD COLBECK
Senator for Tasmania
Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Fisheries and Forestry
Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Innovation, Industry and Science
M E D I A R E L E A S E
22 July, 2011
Supermarkets on notice after ACCC scrutiny
The results of an investigation into the supermarkets’ milk price war come as no surprise, Tasmanian Liberal Senator Richard Colbeck said.
“I am not surprised by the findings, but some will find the ACCC’s report disappointing.
“However, it is significant that the ACCC actually conducted the pricing investigation and it is important that the commission continues to monitor practices.
“It is even more significant that the ACCC recognised the need to make public comment on this matter – they rarely do.
“What the ACCC has confirmed – and what Coles have denied and continue to deny – is that the discounting of generic branded milk is a part of a marketing campaign to gain market share as we have said all along.
“In one sense the attention the Senate Economics Committee has thrown on this issue ensured there is some transparency in the oversight of the market
“It is also of note that the ACCC has seen fit to extend the collective bargaining right of dairy farmers for another ten years.
“This is acknowledgement of the need to fairly balance power in the market,” Senator Colbeck said.
“The Senate Economics Committee has not yet completed it’s deliberations on this matter, and it is likely the milk pricing issue will receive further attention when a new Senate Select Committee on Food Production begins hearings in the coming months,” Senator Colbeck said.
SENATOR THE HON RICHARD COLBECK
