Committee Details

ABOUT THE INQUIRY

On 7 March 2024, the Legislative Assembly agreed to a motion to establish the Supermarket Pricing Select Committee, with the following terms of reference:

(1)   A select committee, known as the Supermarket Pricing Select Committee (committee) be established to:
         a.  examine the causes and effects of increased supermarket prices; and
         b.  identify opportunities to increase transparency in the supermarket sector for consumers and producers.

(2)   In undertaking the inquiry, the committee consider:
         a.  rising grocery prices in Queensland and discrepancies between retail and wholesale and farmgate prices, including different-sized businesses;
         b.  the variability in supermarket offerings and pricing across the state, particularly in regional Queensland and in remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities;
         c.  the long-term trends in profits accruing along the supply chain for perishable produce, with particular regard to impediments to the profitability of primary producers;
         d.  the conduct of retailers in negotiations with Queensland producers, and the prevalence and effects of information asymmetry between these parties;
         e.  improvements to Queensland's policy environment to increase transparency for producers, including what data will reduce information asymmetry, and/or reduce prices for consumers; and
         f.  any other reviews or inquiries occurring in Australia regarding this matter, with a view to complement these analyses by focusing on potential Queensland Government responses.

(3)   The committee:
         a.  has the power to call for persons, documents and other things;
         b.  must present a report to the Legislative Assembly by Friday, 31 May 2024;
         c.  ceases upon the tabling of its report to the Legislative Assembly; and
         d.  consists of six members.

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

The committee invited submissions on any aspect of the terms of reference from all interested parties. Submissions closed on Friday, 19 April 2024.

PUBLIC PROCEEDINGS 

The committee will hold public hearings in Brisbane with major supermarket chains on Monday, 13 May and Tuesday, 14 May 2024. The committee held public hearings Bundaberg, Cairns and Brisbane. See Timeline below for further information as it becomes available.

COMMITTEE’S REPORT

The committee is due to table its report by Friday, 31 May 2024. The report will be published here after tabling.

Once the committee’s report has been tabled, the government has three months to respond to any report recommendations. At that time, the government’s response will be published here.

TIMELINE

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