Page 4409 - Week 12 - Wednesday, 14 October 2009
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We do not want to see, in the move to increase competition, which we support, and in the move to make some very positive moves, a situation where we artificially restrict other competitors or other local supermarket owners from having the opportunity to bid for some of these sites. So we are seeking clarification on that, and I hope that the Chief Minister can give us that.
There has been a lot of commentary around this issue, around whether it will increase or lessen competition. A number of the recommendations have the possibility and the probability of enhancing competition, and if we are satisfied with the detail of those we are very likely to support them. The questions are around where we limit competition and how that is achieved and even, going further, what the rationale is in relation to restricting Metcash. As I said, we are receiving briefings on this, I believe today, but I still have not heard why Metcash in particular should be added to the list along with Woolies and Coles in terms of restriction in the supermarket sector.
So these are some of the outstanding questions we have. We are certainly in favour of increasing competition. We are certainly in favour of utilising some of our planning laws. As I said, I think there is a mixed record there, even in recent decisions in Giralang. We do want to see competition, particularly in some of our bigger group centres, and the positive benefits that that can bring, but I do not want to see particularly locally owned family companies or locally based family companies in any way restricted. That is what we will be looking at very closely, that is what we will be seeking answers from the government on, and we look forward to a response to some of those concerns that have been put by small business owners here in the ACT.
MS LE COUTEUR (Molonglo) (10.45): First I would like to thank Ms Porter for the opportunity to discuss this issue today. As Mr Seselja said, I am sure that everyone in the Assembly would agree that we want to support efforts to increase competition in the ACT supermarket sector at both the retail and wholesale level.
Basically, we think that the Martin report has been a positive report but that the issue, as always with these things, will be the implementation of the report. This is an area that the Greens have been thinking about for some time. Generally, we are pleased with the Martin report. He seems to have tried to do something about the balance between community and commercial, and certainly his take on the wholesale competition is really interesting.
I am also pleased that he picked up some of the issues that the Greens had in their submission. Specifically, he picked up on the issues that I talked about in terms of densifying local centres which are currently unviable and possibly putting more residential into the local centres which are unviable. Mr Seselja talked about the Giralang situation, and I believe that may be—I emphasise “may be”—one of the positive ways forward for the shopping centre in Giralang.
I think John had a very good background, and his emphasis on competition could be very useful and very innovative, not just for Canberra but, if implemented, it will have an impact probably on the whole south-east Australian retail situation.
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