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COMMITTEE’S REPORT

The Supermarket Pricing Select Committee tabled its report on Friday, 31 May 2024. 

View Report No. 1, 57th Parliament - Inquiry into Supermarket Pricing here. 

Once the committee’s report has been tabled, the government has three months to respond to any report recommendations.

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.

SUBMISSIONS

The committee invited submissions on any aspect of the terms of reference from all interested parties. Submissions closed on Friday, 19 April 2024. Submissions can be accessed under the “Submissions” tab above.

PUBLIC PROCEEDINGS 

The committee heard from major supermarket chains and industry in Brisbane. The committee also travelled to Bundaberg, Cairns and Yarabah to hear from witnesses as part of its inquiry into supermarket pricing. Programs and transcripts are published under the “Publications” tab above.

Public hearings:

Monday, 22 April 2024 - Bundaberg - Program - Transcript
Tuesday, 23 April 2024 - Cairns - Program - Transcript
Monday, 29 April 2024 - Brisbane - Program - Transcript - Broadcast
Friday, 3 May 2024 - Brisbane - Program - Transcript - Broadcast
Monday, 13 May 2024 - Brisbane - Program - Transcript - Broadcast
Tuesday, 14 May 2024 - Brisbane - Program - Transcript - Broadcast