Parliamentary inquiry to probe supermarket price gouging and impact of high grocery prices

The soaring cost of groceries – and its impact on South Australians – will be probed by a parliamentary inquiry.

Supermarket price gouging and the impact of high grocery prices on customers will be probed by a new parliamentary inquiry.

The inquiry will also examine the disparities in grocery pricing between metropolitan and regional areas, the prices paid to growers compared with prices charged to customers, and the prevalence of food insecurity in South Australia.

Parliament’s upper house voted on Wednesday in favour of the committee, which was proposed by the Greens.

Greens treasury spokesman Robert Simms said the inquiry was a win for consumers battling soaring grocery prices.

Robert Simms MLC said the probe was a win for consumers. Picture: Matt Loxton

“The inquiry will shine a light on price gouging practices that are dudding consumers, farmers and local producers,” he said.

“The inquiry will identify potential opportunities for government intervention and will play an important role in holding big corporations that are ripping off consumers to account.

“I look forward to working with my Parliamentary colleagues to get this committee up and running in coming weeks.”

The committee will include representatives from the Labor and Liberal parties as well as Independent MLC Frank Pangallo.

Data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed a cumulative 16 per cent increase in food prices in Adelaide over the past three years – higher than any other Australian capital city.

Originally published as Parliamentary inquiry to probe supermarket price gouging and impact of high grocery prices