Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Finance and Deregulation) Share this | Hansard source

To a great extent, Senator Xenophon, through you, Mr President, I really answered that aspect of the question, I think, in response to the first question. I understand the concerns the senator has raised. It is obviously an issue, as people would be aware, that many constituents have made representations on. The government's view is that Australians can be confident that there is a strong and robust set of competition and consumer laws and also a regulator that has appropriate resources and appropriate powers.

I would remind the Senate that the government amended the law in recent years to strengthen Australia's competition laws and also to provide the regulator, the ACCC, with the powers it needs to effectively pursue anti-competitive conduct. The ACCC, as I indicated in my earlier answer, was advised of concerns by the Assistant Treasurer, and I also understand they have called for producers to come forward with complaints and information about their dealings with the supermarkets. Such complaints would be treated confidentially and seriously. (Time expired)