Page 2023 - Week 06 - Wednesday, 6 May 2009
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The issues raised by Ms Le Couteur and the issues in relation to the upsetting of the retail hierarchy which would come about if the current proposal were to succeed would create a significant problem. It would be a significant problem for a range of people. I do not think that all of the issues have been properly addressed. The mere volume of submissions in relation to the development application shows that there are significant issues. I think that Ms Le Couteur is right in saying that if we change the retail hierarchy in Giralang it should be a wider conversation than just with Giralang, because it will have huge impacts across the community.
I have been, for a long time, a strong advocate for innovation in grocery retailing and I have been on the record for a long time as being involved in and warmly welcoming the entry of Aldi into the ACT grocery retailing market, which has made some considerable changes. But also we need to ensure that the independent grocers—I do not mean IGA; I mean people who independently retail in groceries—are given the support that they need so that there is viable competition.
The large retailers like Woolworths and Coles are significant employers and are not to be pooh-poohed. There are many people who get their start in the workforce and there are many people who are long-term employees of Woolworth and Coles. They have an important role to play. But I am concerned about the issue of the disproportionate share of the market that Woolworths and Coles have in Australia and in Canberra, which is not borne out in many other countries. You do not see the large proportion of grocery retailing and fresh produce retailing held by such a small number of people in other jurisdictions. I think that this is something that we need to work through.
I agree with the minister that there are issues in relation to Ms Le Couteur’s original motion, which we also had trouble with. The 600 square metres, in particular, was an issue that we have problems with. I think that the minister’s amendments will actually create a more rounded motion which will have the support of the opposition and will, I think, bring us to a situation which the Chief Minister has addressed, which is where we can address this issue.
Mr Barr: We are soaking it up right there; this is the one speech.
MRS DUNNE: There has been an outbreak of love. What else can I say? We are all going to feel warm and fuzzy again.
Mr Coe: Sing Kumbaya with me. Come on, sing it.
MRS DUNNE: Do not tempt me.
Mr Barr: You are itching to have a go at me, though. Come on.
MRS DUNNE: Just hold on. This is an important issue and I think that Ms Le Couteur has done the ACT community a great service by bringing it forward. These are complex issues.
I have to take some exception with what the minister has said. There is this schizophrenic approach that this minister and his predecessor take about “we have
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