Following the ACCC’s action against Woolies and Coles, the federal government is intensifying its efforts to combat price gouging.
In response to what he called the “not good enough” actions of supermarket giants, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese today announced new legislation to safeguard Australian consumers from overpriced goods.
In light of the ACCC’s legal action against Woolworths and Coles for their “illusory” discount marketing, Albanese has stated his intention to implement a mandatory code of behavior.
“My government said it would take action to ensure Australians are not paying one cent more than they should when they go to a supermarket,” said Albanese.
“Today we are launching the exposure draft for our new mandatory Food and Grocery Code as well as amendments to legislation we will introduce to parliament later this year.”
There is little doubt that the present voluntary code “hasn’t been good enough,” according to the prime minister. Currently, the Food and Grocery Code of Conduct is entirely voluntary according to the Competition and Consumer Act, and it lays out obligations for merchants on a “good faith” system.
Companies including Aldi, Woolworths, Coles, and Metcash might be fined millions of dollars if they were to seriously violate the new obligatory code, according to new legislation.
The watchdog’s move against the supermarket behemoths was praised by Albanese.
“When families are doing it tough they need a government on their side,” stated the politician.
According to the ACCC, Woolworths and Coles allegedly put 266 Woolworths products and 245 Coles products on price hikes for brief durations before putting them on price drops and down sales.
This shows that they need a strict consumer protector on the force.
It would be totally terrible if this turned out to be accurate.
The Australian spirit is not embodied by this.
Supermarkets shouldn’t act like complete moron to their Australian customers.
The prime minister emphasized the importance of authentic sales and promotions in Australian supermarkets.
The ACCC has sued Woolworths and Coles, and Albanese has stated that he is pleased with and takes the accusations seriously.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission claims that Woolworths and Coles made a killing off of “illusory” sales of tens of millions of impacted products.
Woolworths and Coles are being ordered by the watchdog to pay a registered charity that will deliver meals to Australians in need.
This is in addition to their pre-existing charitable meal delivery programs.
The watchdog is also pursuing community service orders, penalties, and declarations in court.
