Miles Doing What Matters: Interim Food Farmers’ Commissioner appointed

• Charles Burke appointed interim Queensland Food Farmers’ Commissioner
• New Commissioner will be a point of contact on issues impacting farmers.
• Role created as part of Supermarket Pricing Select Committee recommendations.

The Miles Government is doing what matters to the agriculture industry by appointing an interim Food Farmers’ Commissioner.

Charles Burke has been appointed to the position, bringing with him more than two decades of experience in agribusiness and service-focused enterprises.

Mr Burke is a former CEO of AgForce Queensland and the Queensland Transport and Logistics Council, and former Vice President of the National Farmers’ Federation.

He helped establish drought program reform as a former Co-Chair of the Queensland Government Drought Program Review.

Mr Burke joined Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner and Supermarket Pricing Select Committee Chair and Member for Bundaberg Tom Smith in his first regional visit as Commissioner, speaking with growers in Bundaberg.

The role will be a point of contact for matters affecting farmers, provide advice to farmers in supporting their relationships with supermarkets, and advise the government on arrangements across supermarkets and their suppliers.

The creation of the Queensland Food Farmers’ Commissioner position was a recommendation by the Supermarket Pricing Select Committee. All eight recommendations by the committee were accepted by the Miles Government.

The Committee examined the causes and effects of increased supermarket prices, after Queensland farmers and shoppers said they were being ripped off at the farmgate and checkout respectively.

The appointment of the new Commissioner is for an initial period of 12 months to set up the new functions.

The following is attributable to Premier Steven Miles:

“I’m focused on bringing down the cost of living for Queenslanders, and this appointment will help drive a fairer go for farmers, consumers and those along the supply chain.

“The conduct of big supermarkets has again been called into question this week, which is why we established the Supermarket Pricing Select Committee.

“The ACCC has accused the big supermarkets of putting up their prices a lot, putting them down a bit, and asking us to be thankful for so-called specials.

“As recommended by the committee, the role of farmers’ commissioner will provide a key point of contract for industry within government to provide support where needed.

“Mr Burke brings a wealth of experience to the role and I am confident he will hit the ground running.”

The following is attributable to Queensland Food Farmers’ Commissioner Charles Burke:

“I am honoured that the Queensland Government has put its faith in me to be the first Food Farmers' Commissioner, to navigate a pathway in this challenging environment.

“This critical role represents an enormous opportunity to improve price transparency, create a safe environment for complaints to be considered and acted on, and redress the imbalance between suppliers and supermarkets.

“I am very much looking forward to getting started in this important role.”

The following is attributable to Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities Mark Furner:

“I look forward to working closely with Mr Burke in his new role as interim Queensland Food Farmers’ Commissioner.

“Mr Burke’s is very highly regarded in the agriculture industry and I am confident he will act as a powerful advocate for farmers and shoppers.

“The Miles Government is a great friend to farmers, and we will continue fighting to bring down the cost of living for Queenslanders.”

The following is attributable to Supermarket Pricing Select Committee Chair and Member for Bundaberg Tom Smith:

“It’s important for all Queenslanders to hear the voices of our farmers and that is exactly what this Food Farmers Commissioner role will help to do.

“I’m proud to be part of a Miles Labor Government that is not only listening to farmers, but acting for them.

“We know the pressures of the supermarket industry on our Queensland farmers and the more that we can tell their stories to Queenslanders the greater choice Queenslanders have to make about where they shop and how much they should have to pay.

“I welcome Charles Burke to the role, I know he is highly respected and will do an excellent job for all Queenslanders.”

ENDS

Media contact: Bryce Heaton 0427 781 920