Treasury has told a Federal Senate inquiry that reducing unnecessary barriers to market entry and clamping down on anti-competitive behaviour should be a priority for Australia’s food processing industry. In its submission to the Senate Select Committee on Australia’s Food Processing Sector, the Treasury pointed out that the food processing industry in Australia tends to be concentrated, with several major players and a number of smaller competitors. The Treasury said, “This market concentration... ...Read more »

A Senate report on competition and pricing in the Australian dairy industry has slammed the results of a deregulated dairy industry, with dominance by the two major supermarket chains and a handful of mostly foreign-owned processors placing farmers at a competitive disadvantage. The inquiry investigated the varying prices being paid to dairy farmers in different Australian states, particularly focussing on the impact of consolidation that has occurred within the dairy supply chain since deregulation... ...Read more »

Opposition Senators expressed concerms over the relaxation of Beef imports into Australia during a Senate Inquiry on Tuesday. Liberal Senator and Farmer Bill Heffernan raised his concern that Australian domestic beef producers were held to a stricter standard than foreign imports “These fellows today are telling Australia’s beef growers that they are going to accept a lesser standard than they have imposed on Australia,” he told the Inquiry yesterday. He also had fears that beef imports... ...Read more »

The Federal Government’s Minister for Health and Ageing, Nicola Roxon, has announced a funding program for local governments to foster healthier lifestyles. The move is in line with preventative health measures. These measures include dietary education programs that are aimed at reducing the prevalence of obesity. Minister Roxon said, “The Rudd Government knows that the cost of inaction on chronic disease is too high. We know that cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease and diabetes... ...Read more »

A parliamentary committee has today urged the Senate to pass the controversial alcopops tax hike, despite admitting it was unsure if the measure had any impact on binge drinking since being introduced in April last year. The news comes as Health Minister Nicola Roxon meets with Family First Senator Steve Fielding, whose support is crucial to passing the bill. The Senate Standing Committee on Community Affairs released a report into the impact of the 70 per cent tax hike on ready-to-drink alcoholic... ...Read more »