Time for a closer look at supermarket pricing

Janelle Saffn MP , Member for Lismore

It is clearly time for an investigation into what’s happening with supermarket prices, and I welcome the Prime Minister’s announcement of an ACCC inquiry into retail pricing and allegations of price gouging.

We have all seen the price of the weekly grocery shop going up at the same time as the big supermarket chains are reporting massive profts.

(In the 2023 fnancial year, Woolworths reported a total net proft after tax of $1.72 billion, and Coles proft was $1.1 billion.)

I’ve had a lot of local farmers ask me what’s going on. They want to know why the prices they are getting for produce have dropped so much, but supermarket prices haven’t come down.

While supermarket pricing and competition is a Federal Government matter, I am raising it here because it affects all of us.

The Federal Government had already announced an inquiry into the effectiveness of the Food and Grocery Code of Conduct which is a voluntary code supposed to improve how supermarkets deal with suppliers.

But the latest announcement of a pricing inquiry by consumer watchdog, the ACCC is the most powerful action yet. This is something that farmers wanted to see because it can force supermarkets to reveal their farmgate prices and contracts.

The inquiry will include an investigation into the competitiveness of small and independent retailers, including regional and remote areas.

To help shoppers be better informed, the Government is funding consumer group Choice to provide quarterly reports on price transparency and the comparative costs of grocery goods at different retailers.

I welcome this ACCC price inquiry because, as the Treasurer says – we want a fair go for families and for farmers.

Save on power bills

If you have suffered power bill shock lately, there are a few things you can do that could bring your bill down.

Electricity retailers are not allowed to charge exit fees or early termination fees when you decide to switch your supplier. You are free to fnd a better energy deal at any time. au where you pop in your suburb, and provide the code from your latest power bill, and it calculates the best deal based on your usage.

And there is an quick online method for fnding out the best deal. The Australian Energy Regulator has a website – Energymadeeasy.gov.

One of my staff did the calculation and found she could save $400 a year by switching to another provider, so it’s worth investigating.

Also remember to check for any rebates you may be eligible for –there are a range of NSW Government energy rebates for low income households, families, independent retirees and others. Go to https:// www.energy.nsw.gov. au/households/rebatesgrants-and-schemes/ fnd-energy-rebate

Assist in Shaping the Future of Hampton Park Reserve

The Ballina Shire Council is in the process of crafting a Draft Master Plan for a section of Hampton Park Reserve and is eager to gather insights from the local community. Situated at the heart of Ballina on the intersection of Moon and Burnet Streets, Hampton Park Reserve falls under the management of the Council as the Crown Land Manager for a specifc area. Presently, the reserve features tennis courts, an associated sports building, amenities block, and vehicle access to the rear of Cherry Street Bowling Club. It also serves as a community open space, featuring notable fg trees.

The plan aims to ensure Hampton Park Reserve remains a hub for tennis facilities. Following the Council’s Sport and Recreation Facilities Plan, there’s a possibility of incorporating additional croquet lawns, and the planning process will consider the inclusion of pickleball courts. The master planning initiative seeks to optimize this section of Hampton Park Reserve for sustained sports and recreational activities.

While there is currently no earmarked funding for implementation, the fnalized Hampton Park Reserve Master Plan will become a vital guide for the reserve’s management framework. It will support forthcoming investments, planning strategies, and the execution of enhancement projects.

The community is invited to contribute to the future vision of Hampton Park Reserve by participating in an online survey until Thursday, February 29, 2024. The brief survey seeks input on current reserve usage, desired improvements, and preferences for sporting activities and facilities to be included in the future Master Plan.

For more details and to share your insights, please visit www. yoursayballina.com.au/ hampton-park-reservemaster-plan. Join us in shaping the future of Hampton Park Reserve for the beneft of our community.

Embrace Naturality in Your Green Bin

As of January 25, 2024, Byron Shire residents are urged to be mindful of the contents they dispose of in their green wheelie bins due to recent changes in NSW waste management regulations. The focus is on adopting a “nude and natural” approach, emphasizing the exclusion of certain items from the green bin.

Sarah Child, a member of the Council’s Resource Recovery team, highlighted the importance of adhering to the updated guidelines. The key principle is to refrain from including packaging, paper, teabags, or various products like coffee cups, wooden cutlery, or bamboo containers in the green bin.

Ms. Child clarifed that aside from Australian Certifed compostable caddy liners and sheets of newspaper used for lining food scraps bins, no synthetic materials should be disposed of in the green bin. The NSW Environment Protection Authority has instigated these changes to address the prevalence of disposable items claiming compostability but containing potentially harmful chemicals.

“The green bins are designed to convert waste into natural compost,”

Ms. Child emphasized. Therefore, only food and garden waste should be deposited in the green bins. The call to “go nude and natural” is not just an environmental consideration but aligns with health concerns associated with harmful substances.

Residents seeking more information on the modifed green bin regulations can visit the “Changes to What Goes in Your Green Bin” section on the Council’s website.