Food Archives - Consumers' Federation of Australia

25 November , 2024

RSPCA Re-Brand Farming Welfare Certification Scheme

The ACCC is currently holding consultations for RSPCA Australia’s newly lodged certified trade marks (CTMs). From the ACCC: The marks are intended to indicate that products marked with the RSPCA certified CTMs have been produced under the RSPCA Certified Scheme. According to RSPCA Australia, the RSPCA Certified Scheme is: “a farm animal welfare certification scheme…

12 November , 2024

Energy, Food and Water Security in Northern Australia

The Joint Select Committee on Northern Australia is conducting an inquiry and report on energy, food and water security in the north of Australia. Submissions are currently open to the public and will close on 31st January 2025. The availability (including cost availability) is of great concern to all consumers, but especially to those living…

6 November , 2024

Public Hearings for Supermarket Inquiry to be Livestreamed

The ACCC will conduct a series of public hearings from 7 to 22 November as part of its ongoing Supermarkets Inquiry. The public hearings will be livestreamed via the ACCC website and will be an opportunity for the ACCC to gain a more complete understanding of the key issues in the retail grocery sector and its…

10 October , 2024

CHOICE Welcomes Federal Government’s Announcement to Strengthen Unit Pricing Rules

Consumer group CHOICE has welcomed the Federal Government’s plans to strengthen unit pricing by reviewing the rules and introducing strong penalties for non-compliance. Quotes attributable to Deputy Director of Campaigns, Andy Kelly: “CHOICE welcomes the Federal Government’s announcement to improve the rules around grocery unit pricing. Currently, supermarkets can’t be penalised for poor unit pricing and…

1 October , 2024

Additional Funding for Investigation and Enforcement of Retail and Supermarket Sectors Welcomed

The ACCC welcomed today’s announcement by the Treasurer of $30 million over 3.5 years in additional funding for investigations and enforcement relating to the supermarket and retail sector. ACCC Chair Cass-Gottlieb said the additional resources would allow for a significant enhancement of the ACCC’s enforcement and compliance activities in an essential sector relied upon by…

1 October , 2024

Strengthening Food Security in Remote First Nations Communities

ICAN is united with CHOICE, Community Credit Legal Service Western Australia (CCLSWA), Financial Counselling Australia (FCA), Financial Rights Legal Centre (FRLC), and Mob Strong Debt Help, in supporting the proposed National Strategy for Food Security in Remote First Nations Communities. We believe this Strategy is a significant step forward in addressing the critical issue of…

18 September , 2024

Consumer Groups Call on NIAA to Strengthen Remote Food Security Strategy

Mandatory code of practice, subsidies for food transportation and increased income support needed A coalition of consumer and indigenous groups is calling on the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) to better protect vulnerable residents in remote areas. The organisations have welcomed the proposed National Strategy for Food Security in Remote First Nations Communities, but they…

22 August , 2024

Inquiry into ‘big box’ retailer price setting

The Senate Standing Committee on Economics has recently opened an inquiry into the price setting of ‘big box’ retailers with submissions open now until 27 September 2024. The Committee’s Terms of Reference for the inquiry and subsequent report to the Australian Senate is: a. the market behaviours of such retailers, including price negotiation practices, abuse…

8 July , 2024

Consumers Want a Fair Go for Supermarket Shoppers Too

The Queensland Consumers Association (QCA) says action is needed to give consumers as well as suppliers a fairer go when dealing with supermarkets. QCA spokesperson Ian Jarratt says the Federal Government’s decision to change the Food and Grocery Code of Conduct to help farmers and other suppliers in their dealings s with large supermarkets, highlights…

25 June , 2024

Government Accepts All Recommendations to Strengthen Food and Grocery Code

The Albanese Government will strengthen the Food and Grocery Code of Conduct, accepting all recommendations of a recent independent review into the Code as part of a wide?ranging cost?of?living crackdown on anti?competitive behaviour in the food and grocery sector. This is about getting a fair go for families and a fair go for farmers. Our…

20 June , 2024

CHOICE Supermarket Basket Survey Reveals Clear Winner

Consumer group CHOICE has today released its first quarterly, government-funded report on supermarket prices across Australia.

As part of the research, CHOICE sent mystery shoppers to 81 regional and metropolitan supermarkets across the country, including Aldi, Woolworths, and Coles, to record prices for 14 common grocery items.

Read the full story here: www.choice.com.au/cheapestgroceries

4 June , 2024

Inquiry into Food Security in Victoria

On 29 November 2023, the Legislative Council agreed to the following motion: That this House requires the Legal and Social Issues Committee to inquire into, consider and report, by 14 November 2024, on the impacts and drivers of, and solutions for, food security in Victoria, including but not limited to —(1) the impact of food…