Published Friday, 12 September, 2008 at 02:03 PM
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister Assisting the Premier in Western Queensland
The Honourable Kerry Shine
Shine Releases Unit Pricing Regulation
The Bligh Government has released a draft regulation for Queensland’s unit pricing scheme, with consumers the ones to reap the benefits, Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Kerry Shine said today.
“With the release of this regulation the Bligh Government is confirming its determination to get a better deal for consumers through the introduction of unit pricing in Queensland,” Mr Shine said.
“We are the first state in Australia to commit to the introduction of mandatory unit pricing and the savings to Queensland consumers is estimated at up to $160 million each year, providing Queensland consumers with a fair deal.
“Consumer groups have described the Queensland model for unit pricing as a ‘world class’ benchmark for best practice.”
Mr Shine said while the Commonwealth has indicated its intention to introduce a national unit pricing scheme, there is no indication on when it will be implemented and the Bligh Government is determined to pass on savings to consumers as soon as possible.
“I have written to my federal counterpart, the Honourable Chris Bowen MP, inviting the Commonwealth to adopt Queensland’s world class model for the protection of all Australian consumers,” he said.
“Groceries are the second biggest item in a household budget after housing costs, and international experience had shown that unit pricing can make a positive difference.
“Unit-pricing increases competition, and competition historically drives down cost – this is about empowering Queensland consumers at the check-out.”
Mr Shine said a decision will be made shortly on when retailers will have to comply with the regulation.
“Retailers will be given enough time to make changes to their systems to comply with their regulation.”
“Smaller independent retailers and corner stores will be exempt from complying with the regulation.
“We recognise the implementation cost of this proposal would be unreasonably high for smaller outlets,” Mr Shine said.
Media Contact: Troy Davies 3239 6400 or 0488 799 273
“With the release of this regulation the Bligh Government is confirming its determination to get a better deal for consumers through the introduction of unit pricing in Queensland,” Mr Shine said.
“We are the first state in Australia to commit to the introduction of mandatory unit pricing and the savings to Queensland consumers is estimated at up to $160 million each year, providing Queensland consumers with a fair deal.
“Consumer groups have described the Queensland model for unit pricing as a ‘world class’ benchmark for best practice.”
Mr Shine said while the Commonwealth has indicated its intention to introduce a national unit pricing scheme, there is no indication on when it will be implemented and the Bligh Government is determined to pass on savings to consumers as soon as possible.
“I have written to my federal counterpart, the Honourable Chris Bowen MP, inviting the Commonwealth to adopt Queensland’s world class model for the protection of all Australian consumers,” he said.
“Groceries are the second biggest item in a household budget after housing costs, and international experience had shown that unit pricing can make a positive difference.
“Unit-pricing increases competition, and competition historically drives down cost – this is about empowering Queensland consumers at the check-out.”
Mr Shine said a decision will be made shortly on when retailers will have to comply with the regulation.
“Retailers will be given enough time to make changes to their systems to comply with their regulation.”
“Smaller independent retailers and corner stores will be exempt from complying with the regulation.
“We recognise the implementation cost of this proposal would be unreasonably high for smaller outlets,” Mr Shine said.
Media Contact: Troy Davies 3239 6400 or 0488 799 273