Published Thursday, 26 June, 2008 at 01:23 PM
Premier
The Honourable Anna Bligh
BLIGH MOVES TO EASE THE SQUEEZE AT QLD CHECK-OUTS
In an Australian-first, the Bligh Government will move to introduce mandatory unit pricing in supermarkets to deliver relief to Queenslanders at the check-out.
Premier Anna Bligh released the proposal for public comment today, which would require supermarkets to display not only the selling price on each grocery item but also the price per unit (ie kilograms or litres).
“Unit pricing ensures consumers are better informed to choose brands or package sizes that offer the most value-for-money and can significantly reduce their grocery bills,” Ms Bligh said.
“A trial by the Queensland Consumer Association demonstrated savings of up to 47 percent on an average basket of groceries when shopping by the lowest unit price.
“Queensland family budgets are under sustained pressure from high interest rates and the rising cost of petrol and grocery prices.
“And while Government is limited in its ability to influence prices, I am committed to providing relief to families any way we can.
“We are taking a fresh approach to housing affordability by making more land available for building homes; we are taking a fresh look at the fuel subsidy to ensure it is going directly into the pockets of Queenslanders; and now its time to take a fresh look at grocery prices,” she said.
Ms Bligh said groceries were the second biggest item in a household budget after housing costs, and international experience had shown that unit pricing could make a positive difference.
“And consumers vote with their feet – in Finland for example, 42 percent of consumers changed brands after the introduction of unit pricing, and 33 percent changed package size.
“Unit-pricing increases competition, and competition historically drives down cost – this is about empowering Queensland consumers at the check-out.”
The Premier said she expected the regulations to be in place by the end of September, and the Government would consult with industry on a reasonable implementation period.
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Kerry Shine said the proposal would exclude the small ‘corner store’.
“Major supermarket chains have already publicly voiced their support for unit pricing, however we recognise the implementation cost of this proposal would be unreasonably high for smaller outlets,” Mr Shine said.
“This is about reducing the cost of people’s weekly or fortnightly grocery bill and the focus will be on the larger supermarket chains.
“I encourage industry and consumers to have their say on the proposal.”
Public comment on unit pricing options is open until 28 July 2008.
Copies of the regulatory impact statement are available from the Department of Justice and Attorney-General website at www.justice.qld.gov.au or by telephoning
13 13 04.
Thursday, 26 June 2008
Media: 3224 4500 (Premier’s office) or 3239 6400 (Attorney-General’s office)
Premier Anna Bligh released the proposal for public comment today, which would require supermarkets to display not only the selling price on each grocery item but also the price per unit (ie kilograms or litres).
“Unit pricing ensures consumers are better informed to choose brands or package sizes that offer the most value-for-money and can significantly reduce their grocery bills,” Ms Bligh said.
“A trial by the Queensland Consumer Association demonstrated savings of up to 47 percent on an average basket of groceries when shopping by the lowest unit price.
“Queensland family budgets are under sustained pressure from high interest rates and the rising cost of petrol and grocery prices.
“And while Government is limited in its ability to influence prices, I am committed to providing relief to families any way we can.
“We are taking a fresh approach to housing affordability by making more land available for building homes; we are taking a fresh look at the fuel subsidy to ensure it is going directly into the pockets of Queenslanders; and now its time to take a fresh look at grocery prices,” she said.
Ms Bligh said groceries were the second biggest item in a household budget after housing costs, and international experience had shown that unit pricing could make a positive difference.
“And consumers vote with their feet – in Finland for example, 42 percent of consumers changed brands after the introduction of unit pricing, and 33 percent changed package size.
“Unit-pricing increases competition, and competition historically drives down cost – this is about empowering Queensland consumers at the check-out.”
The Premier said she expected the regulations to be in place by the end of September, and the Government would consult with industry on a reasonable implementation period.
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Kerry Shine said the proposal would exclude the small ‘corner store’.
“Major supermarket chains have already publicly voiced their support for unit pricing, however we recognise the implementation cost of this proposal would be unreasonably high for smaller outlets,” Mr Shine said.
“This is about reducing the cost of people’s weekly or fortnightly grocery bill and the focus will be on the larger supermarket chains.
“I encourage industry and consumers to have their say on the proposal.”
Public comment on unit pricing options is open until 28 July 2008.
Copies of the regulatory impact statement are available from the Department of Justice and Attorney-General website at www.justice.qld.gov.au or by telephoning
13 13 04.
Thursday, 26 June 2008
Media: 3224 4500 (Premier’s office) or 3239 6400 (Attorney-General’s office)