AFGC urges government to consider food industry needs in 2012 Budget
The Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) today urged the Federal Government to offer “similar assistance” to Australia’s food industry as it offers the automotive industry when considering this year’s Budget.
In its Budget 2012-13 Submission, the AFGC is calling on the Federal Government to get behind the food and grocery manufacturing sector in the upcoming Federal Budget process.
The submission specifically calls for a Supermarket Fair Trading Code of Conduct and a Supermarket Ombudsman to be established. It also requests the introduction of accelerated depreciation provisions for manufacturers to purchase new plant equipment to improve productivity and energy efficiency commencing in 2012-13.
Outgoing AFGC Chief Executive Kate Carnell said, “The food industry is not looking for huge hand-outs but we are asking the Government to support a range of initiatives to improve the competitiveness, efficiency and sustainability of the AU$108 billion sector.”
“Food and grocery is Australia’s largest manufacturing industry – four times larger than the automotive sector – employing 312,000 people including half in rural and regional areas,” Ms Carnell said.
