CEO Welcome

MGA has invested considerable resources into building our capacity to better service members with employment law inquiries. MGA recently engaged an additional employment lawyer, Guy Dimitriou, to secure a more responsive service to members. While many similar organisations outsource their member employment law advice service, MGA has an embedded legal team in the office. Our service builds internal capacity and expertise that allows for a deep understanding and experience around those issues that affect members each and every day.

The scourge of illicit tobacco, often being sold in plain sight, continues to cause significant downward pressure on grocery and liquor members. Currently, one in four cigarettes in Australia are illegally sourced. The Federal Government is failing to see that proposed changes to the sale of legal tobacco products will only increase the illicit tobacco and vaping market - a market not monitored by any public health smoking rate metrics. Any assertions from

Government that smoking rates are decreasing does not take into account the illegal market.

MGA is working with key stakeholders and partners in the independent sector to build a multi-layered campaign that addresses these issues. Enforcement is the key, which must occur at the state level, which will require significant assistance from the Federal Government to ensure the states are well supported. Australia should no longer allow this illegal trade to impact the country in such a negative and pervasive way. MGA will inform members shortly of our campaign details once it is activated.

For MGA TMA members, we have responded to the significant announcement from the Victorian Government regarding their early exit from native forestry in Victoria. This announcement was a surprise to the sector with the Andrews Government being the first state to make such a decision. This announcement brings this exit forward to 1 January 2024, delivering a significant blow to those in the sector, including the many families and business in the affected regions. It is clear the Victorian Government appears not open to reversing this decision, and we continue to monitor developments in other states.

And finally, this year’s Metcash Expo was my first and it was a fantastic experience. Expos are always a great opportunity to meet members, as well as stakeholders from the wider industry and discuss key issues that affect us all. Issues consistently raised include illegal tobacco, industrial relations and generally the everincreasing cost of doing business.

Until the next edition!

David Inall CEO MGA Independent Retailers