Supermarkets Reap Super Profts Amid Cost-of-Living Crisis, NFF Horticulture Council Calls for Tighter Controls

ROBERT HEYWARD

The NFF Horticulture Council has renewed its call for stricter government oversight of supermarket trading practices as major listed companies report their annual profts. Despite the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, supermarkets are continuing to prioritize proft growth over fair compensation for suppliers, according to the Council.

Council Chair Jolyon Burnett highlighted the stark contrast between the message’s supermarkets send to their investors versus those communicated to their suppliers. “When pitching their annual results to investors, supermarkets will make a show of their year-on-year growth and expanding profts, but will at the same time tell suppliers they can’t afford to pay them anymore,” Mr. Burnett stated.

Burnett emphasized the growing disparity, noting that some growers have reported stagnant prices for as long as a decade, despite the increasing profts reported by supermarkets. “It amounts to corporate gaslighting at a grand scale and shows total disrespect to longstanding and longsuffering suppliers, who are not getting a fair share of the supermarket success,” he said.

In response, the Council has formally written to the Treasurer, advocating for tighter controls on supermarket trading practices, particularly in how they negotiate prices and manage communication with suppliers regarding order volumes.

Burnett underscored the urgent need for government action, arguing that without intervention, supermarkets will continue to prioritize shareholder profts at the expense of both suppliers and consumers. “There is absolutely public beneft from having both affordable food and a sustainable farming sector, which the market is now most obviously failing to deliver,” he said. “The case for greater government intervention has never been as clear.”

The Council’s stance refects growing concern within the agricultural sector that without stronger regulatory measures, the imbalance between supermarket proftability and the fnancial sustainability of suppliers will continue to widen, further exacerbating challenges faced by growers and farmers amid a broader economic crisis.

By Helen Trustum

On the 11th March 1932 is day that the Upper Clarence will never forget. It saw the realization of a ffteen year dream, when a very fne hall was thrown open to the public. During 1918 the residents of the small valley in the Upper Clarence met to discuss the erection of a public hall. It wasn’t until a meeting on 15th August 1928 that they decided to re-open the matter. A canvas of the district showed that everyone was wholeheartedly behind the project. All freely gave either cash, timber or valuable services.

A committee comprising President W.R. Cooke, Secretary A. McInnes, Committeemen – W. Kennedy, E. J. Little, A. E. Cooke, A. Moss, T. Moss and W. Cooper. Trustees – J.R. Whittingham, L.A. Johnston, George Crowther. Bottle Creek residents donated cattle to the hall funds, where

Auctioneer Norman Johnston, sold the cattle at his saleyards at Bonalbo free of commission. Tenders were called in 1931 for building the hall where Mr J.N. Tate was accepted with his quote of ffty eight pounds. The hall was fnally opened on March 11th 1932. The honour was given to resident Mrs J. J. Medhurst. The night attracted the largest gathering ever known in the Upper Clarence, showing a true appreciation of the hard work involved in fostering such a project. Throughout the day a sports day was held under the supervision of Mr I. J. Little. Tarpaulins were used for cover outside which Mr P. J. Carey donated. The hall measured 60 feet x 46 feet. Mr J. N. Tate was paid one pound ten shillings for building the water tank outside the hall.

Easter Monday, April 17th 1933 saw the Bottle Creek Hall Committee stage Bridle Races through the day with a social at night. The races were held in Bill Kennedy’s paddock. Events included:

Opening Handicap –Bridle plus one pound

Maiden Handicap –Bridle

Kennedy Handicap –Bridle

Bottle Creek Handicap – Trophy pus two pounds Farewell Handicap –Bridle

Falg and Bending Races, Throwing at the wicket, stepping 100 yards

Admission to sports 1/-, Admission to dance 1/5.

Richmond River Express – 18th Oct.1912

“To celebrate the completion of the Bottle Creek Public School a day’s sports with a basket picnic lunch and a dance in hall on 28th. Cr Hopkinson will offciate. The building is now almost completed. The dimensions of the building are 18 ft by 16 ft with a 10 ft verandah.

The site for the school is well situated and splendidly drained. It is understood there are 20 or more children waiting to attend this school. The timber is hardwood, cut at Bottle Creek sawmills and the contractors Gibbins and Hogg should complete a very nice school”.

The Bottle Creek school began in February 1913 with teacher Mr Edwin Campbell. Bottle Creek school had a very strong community spirit with an active P&C Association. Unfortunately, the school was forced to close in 1958 due to low enrollments. Primary school children were bused into Bonalbo. The building was moved to Tunglebung and was built into their Community Hall.

Northern Star – 28th Sept. 1934

“Bottle Creek Hall was decorated with balloons and coloured streamers on September 21st for the juvenile ball organized by the teacher Mr H. G. Neale in aid of school funds. Visitors were present from all parts of the district. Over 50 children appeared in fancy dress and were judged by Mr G, Brown of Mallanganee and Mr W. Stewart of Bonalbo. Phillip’s Orchestra from Bonalbo provided the music”.

During the 1940’s, interest in the hall declined. On July 22nd July 1948 W. R. Cooke convened a meeting for the purpose of reforming the hall committee. Mr Cooke was elected President, John Ramsey Secretary and Mrs Edith Cooke Treasurer. Electricity was switched on at the Bottle Creek Hall on November 14th 1950. Mrs Joan Townsend supplied and erected new curtains on the stage on 6th August 1959. Music was often supplied at the dances by Charles Everson and his sisters with Mr Hankinson on the drums.

At a meeting in the hall on 23rd October 1972, The President expressed regret at the lack of interest in the hall also the cost to maintain the hall was at an extreme level. The committee decided to sell the hall. Mr Murry Spry purchased the building to be rebuilt on his property for one thousand three hundred pounds at an auction on 17th February 1974. Fraser Ramsey then conducted the sale of contents, realizing a total of one thousand eight hundred and eighty nine pounds. Proceeds from hall and contents went to supplying a light in the out patients section of the Bonalbo and District Hospital. A plaque has been placed on the wall of the hospital. Special mention must be made to Mr W. R. (Bill) Cooke. His services to the community were invaluable and a great example of citizenship. Mr Cooke was the frst President, was re-elected each year till he resigned, when he left the district in 1967. During those 39 years he had a 100 percent meeting attendance record.

Ref – Northern Star, Richmond River Express, Bottle Creek Hall Minute Book, Bill and Bev Smith, Bottle Creek and Fraser Ramsey, Casino April 1997.