ACCC releases groceries issues paper

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has today released an issues paper on matters relevant to its inquiry* into the competitiveness of retail prices for standard groceries.

The paper outlines the issues on which the ACCC is seeking information and describes how submissions can be made.

The issues paper will be available from the ACCC website. Interested parties are invited to make submissions to the ACCC in response to the issues paper by no later than 5 p.m. Tuesday, 11 March 2008.

As this is a public inquiry, copies of submissions received by the ACCC will be available from the ACCC website, www.accc.gov.au.

On the basis of responses received, the ACCC will then hold a series of public hearings.

The inquiry will be conducted by ACCC Chairman, Mr Graeme Samuel, and Commissioners, Mr John Martin and Dr Stephen King.

Further information about the inquiry is available on the ACCC website.

The inquiry is due to report to the Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Competition Policy and Consumer Affairs by 31 July 2008.

As a separate exercise the ACCC has been asked to look into recent increases in prices for fertilisers and the reasons for them. The ACCC's report to the Minister is also due by 31 July 2008.

Background

*This is a price inquiry under the prices surveillance provisions of Part VIIA of the Trade Practices Act 1974. These provisions provide the ACCC with information-gathering powers and the ability to take evidence on oath from witnesses.