Thursday, 18 April 2024

 Aiv PUGLIELLI (North-Eastern Metropolitan) (17:21): (830) My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Agriculture, and the action that I seek is that she support farmers to get a fair deal when it comes to supplying Coles and Woolworths. Everyday people are paying more and more for their groceries, and all the while our farmers are paid less and less, strongarmed by Coles and Woolies, the two big supermarkets, who really only care about increasing their profits at the expense of both our primary producers and shoppers. Coles and Woolies are raking in profits – over $1 billion each, megabucks, made by charging customers more and squeezing farmers to the point of collapse. We have all heard of farms, some being run over multiple generations, that no longer break even each year. Many farmers are on the brink of giving up. Many are closing their gates and they are shutting up shop. We must all make our voices heard for our local growers and producers. These farmers deserve a decent price for their produce. The Labor government needs to step in and protect our farmers. They deserve a fair go.