Independent Federal Member for Indi Dr Helen Haines MP wants the next Parliament to deliver strong powers to the ACCC to rein in corporations that abuse their market power. 

Continuing her work to address the high cost-of-living, Dr Haines committed to push for broad divestiture powers and a Supermarket Ombudsman to protect consumers and primary producers. 

Dr Haines said current laws can’t break up big operators that are abusing their power and Australia needs to catch up to other countries. 

“We are all feeling the squeeze of rising costs, especially at the supermarket,” Dr Haines said. 

“Coles and Woolworths collectively control two-thirds of the grocery sector and made more than $1 billion in after-tax profits last financial year. The ACCC is already taking Coles and Woolworths to court allegedly misleading customers, but we need a Supermarket Ombudsman to help re-set the power imbalance between the major supermarkets, suppliers and consumers.” 

Dr Haines said a Supermarket Ombudsman is necessary to regulate the operation of the Food and Grocery Code of Conduct, with powers to create binding determinations, issue infringement notices and refer investigations to the ACCC for court action. 

“A new mandatory code of conduct is coming into effect for the grocery sector, but there is no independent figure in place to uphold the code and proactively address breaches. 

“The current model still largely enables the supermarkets to select their own umpire.  

“It’s akin to marking your own homework and I think will end up being ineffective and exploited. Ultimately, it will be consumers and suppliers who are still short changed.” 

“An independent Supermarket Ombudsman would hear complaints directly from consumers and suppliers and have tools to take quick and effective action when necessary.” 

Calls for a Supermarket Ombudsman or a similar position have been supported by the National Farmers Federation, Australian Dairy Farmers Limited, AusVeg and the Australian Food and Grocery Council. 

Dr Haines is also backing new, broad divestiture powers to give the ACCC the power to break up big companies if they abuse their market power or engage in conduct that decreases competition and hurts consumers.  

“Australia has very concentrated markets and we need to make sure the big players aren’t abusing their power over consumers and smaller competitors.” 

“We want successful businesses in Australia, but right now bigger profit margins come at the expense of fairness and it’s bad for consumers, bad for farmers, and bad for the economy.” 

“We need broad powers that give the ACCC the big stick they need to rein in corporations that are abusing their power, without carve outs. This would send a message to big business to clean up their act or face big consequences. 

“Our current laws aren’t strong enough and enable companies to hike their prices or squeeze suppliers because they know they have the upper hand.  

Dr Haines said the ACCC needs broad powers that could force divestiture in any sector but in pointed to the food and grocery, aviation or banking sectors as concentrated sectors where a lack of competition worked against consumers getting a better deal.