Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Hansard source

Whilst we want companies to be profitable in this country, because that's good for the economy and good for jobs, we also don't want anyone to be ripped off. That's why we, the government, are looking at our competition policy, and the work that's been done by Dr Andrew Leigh, but also the work that has been commissioned by the Treasurer—particularly the ACCC inquiry—and the work that Dr Craig Emerson is doing, in terms of the grocery code, to make sure that the settings are right and that we are protecting consumers' interests. I think we've all been to the supermarkets and the shops and seen price escalation, and the government is concerned and wanting to make sure that our settings are right, which is why that work is being undertaken.

But I don't agree that it's as black and white as you believe.

Well, I don't want to misquote the governor, but I don't believe it's as black and white as you would argue, Senator McKim—that it's all about companies doing the wrong thing. I think there are a number of inputs into inflation. We are mindful of our responsibilities to act where we can, and I think those reviews that have been ordered by the assistant to the Treasurer and the Treasurer are a good way of monitoring that, and making or acting on— (Time expired)