Page 4888 - Week 13 - Wednesday, 11 November 2009
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
exclude the major supermarket chains from their operations and limit the commercial decision that they might be able to make to actually choose who they might have as tenants, Mr Samuels said:
I would have to say that they are recommendations that would not have been made had the ACCC prepared that report. How do I put this in as tactful a way as possible? They are recommendations that would not appear to be consistent with the findings of the ACCC in its grocery inquiry report of 2008.
Another very important aspect of this motion is the benefit and support of small business. There are a number of other recommendations in the review that relate to the eligibility criteria for anyone wishing to operate a supermarket. One requirement states that they must have at least 10 years experience as a full-line supermarket before they can enter the ACT market.
We are now looking at a level of exclusion that will only limit competition and diversity in this industry. Where is the benefit for small business? The opposition has had representations from IGA supermarket operators in Tuggeranong who have said that they are concerned:
… that the eligibility criteria being developed for land tenders will be used to exclude me from the process. I want to be able to tender for new land releases. I will bring competitive tension to the ACT supermarket sector.
The government have an obligation to ensure that independent supermarket operators are not excluded from bidding for new supermarket sites in the ACT, and that they are afforded every opportunity to set up business, especially in the suburban areas of the ACT. The government must also ensure that a competitive and transparent process is used to allocate new supermarket sites to supermarket operators in the ACT.
It was only in August this year that Ms Burch moved a motion acknowledging the contribution of the local business sector and the benefits that small business bring to the ACT. Ms Burch said at the time:
It is the hard work of Canberra businesspeople that has helped the ACT economy to grow.
In the same debate in August, Mr Barr said, in relation to his government’s policies:
We seek to put in place a robust set of policies to foster an economic environment in which local businesses can flourish.
Why then would we make it more difficult for independent supermarket operators? I commend Mr Seselja’s motion to the Assembly today and urge the government to ensure that independent supermarket operators get a fair go.
MS LE COUTEUR (Molonglo) (5.50): I apologise for the considerable confusion on this. I had thought that possibly this would be adjourned, and we are not as organised as we should be. I thank Mr Seselja and the Liberal Party for bringing this motion on because it is a really important issue. I foreshadow that I am about to move an amendment which will be circulated in my name, as soon as I get around to signing it.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video