Kerry O'Brien (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I, and also on behalf of Senator Colbeck and Senator Milne, move:

That the following matter be referred to the Economics References Committee for inquiry and report by 28 February 2010:

The current circumstances of the varying prices being paid to dairy farmers in different Australian states, including:

(a)

the economic effect on the dairy industry of announced reductions in prices to be paid to producers by milk processors;

(b)

the impact of the concentration of ownership of milk processing facilities on milk market conditions in the dairy industry;

(c)

the impact of the consolidation of the ownership of the market or drinking milk sector with the manufacturing milk sector on milk market conditions in the dairy industry;

(d)

the impact of the concentration of supermarket supply contracts on milk market conditions;

(e)

whether aspects of the Trade Practices Act 1974 are in need of review having regard to market conditions and industry sector concentration in this industry; and

(f)

any other related matters.

Question agreed to.