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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 5 Hansard (14 May) . . Page.. 1360 ..

MS HORODNY (continuing):

There is no such level playing field in the retail market in the ACT. There is a distinct lack of real competition. The market is controlled by the major players, Woolworths in particular, with about 70 per cent of the retail market; and they have significant financial advantages which are quite unfair for smaller retailers. As the big players compete to grab the biggest slice of the market, the small traders, both inside and outside the town centres, suffer.

We are very disappointed with the Liberal Party, but we are very surprised that the Labor Party is so keen on wanting an unfettered retail market in the ACT and is so supportive of allowing Woolworths to dominate the retail market to the detriment of local small businesses. The Labor Party is always very quick to criticise the Government on its economic rationalism and reliance on markets; yet, in this case, the Labor Party seems certain that the retail market should not be restricted in any way. As an example, Mr Corbell, in his inaugural speech, was strongly critical of economic rationalism. He said:

Economic rationalism lies upon the belief that the market will resolve inconsistencies within itself. Yet we have already seen that the demands of economic rationalism leave behind those who cannot afford to keep up and foster individual self-interest ahead of community wellbeing.

Those are the words of Mr Corbell. It is a great pity, then, that the Labor Party does not regard local shopkeepers as worthy of being protected from economic rationalism or that local centres are valuable for fostering community wellbeing. Mr Corbell also said:

The belief that all must be measured by its monetary value, by what it can be bought or sold for, rather than by what it achieves or contributes, is undermining our sense of society. We are told by governments that we are no longer citizens but consumers, that our place in society is measured only by our ability to buy or sell.

Members interjected.

MR SPEAKER: Ignore them, Ms Horodny.

MS HORODNY: Only if you ask them to be quiet, Mr Speaker. It is a great pity that the Labor Party as a whole does not heed these words, instead of bowing to the big supermarket-driven propaganda that people have a right to shop in supermarkets whenever they please, regardless of the negative impacts on the rest of the retail market and the flow-on effect to the Canberra community, including employment. Instead of seeking short-term electoral advantage, the Labor and Liberal parties really need to address these questions: Do we want our children to grow up in a vibrant, diversified and sustainable local retail economy or in a city that is dominated by a few national and multinational retail chains? Do we want to be able to walk down to the local shopping centre to buy milk or bread, and talk to neighbours along the way; or do we want to have to get in the car and battle shoppers to find a car park and a shopping trolley at the big shopping malls?

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