David Pocock (ACT, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Treasurer, Minister Gallagher. In September, the Prime Minister said:

We are doing everything we can to ensure Australians are paying a fair price at the checkout and Australian farmers are getting a fair price for their goods.

The Prime Minister committed to introducing legislation for a mandatory food and grocery code this year. With three sitting days left for the year, why hasn't the government introduced this legislation?

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

I thank Senator Pocock for the question. We have, as everyone in the Senate will know, an extremely busy legislation program. We have a number of bills here in the Senate that we are seeking to progress, and, if there was a willingness to do that, we would sincerely appreciate it. If there is more that I can come back to Senator Pocock with on the trajectory for that legislation, I will.

We are serious about making sure that people get a fair deal at the supermarkets. I think everyone has been feeling this. Anyone who does the shopping sees it every day when they go to the supermarket. Wanting to make sure that they get a better deal and make sure that the supermarkets are doing the right thing by people, I think, is a priority for all of us in this place. We have responded to the Emerson review, which talked about making a code of conduct for supermarkets mandatory, and that is being progressed. I don't have the exact date of when that will be, but I will see if I can provide it during this question time.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Pocock, first supplementary?

David Pocock (ACT, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Minister. I'm certainly hearing concerns from Australians that they feel like they're getting fleeced every time they go through the check-out, and we have this firm commitment from the Prime Minister of Australia that the mandatory grocery code will be introduced this year. With 2½ days left this year, can I ask the government if we will in fact see that or if this is not going to happen?

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

I've taken that element of Senator Pocock's first question on notice, and I will come back with any information that I can provide. The Prime Minister has been dealing with this issue for some months. He's very keen to make sure that we are doing whatever we can to make sure shoppers are getting a fair deal at the supermarket.

You've already seen the investments we've given to the ACCC to make sure that they crack down on market conduct, including misleading and deceptive pricing practices, and we've seen some of the results of that with the work that the ACCC is taking through the courts. We have done the work on a new mandatory food and grocery code, as you have outlined, and we will legislate to enact multimillion dollar penalties. We've worked with the states and territories on planning and zoning for supermarkets. We're also looking at what further work can be done on shrinkflation, where customers are charged the same for less. The ACCC will be doing their inquiry into supermarkets, and we've given the ACCC stronger powers to scrutinise mergers, which is legislation before this place and hopefully we can pass it.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Pocock, second supplementary?

David Pocock (ACT, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, you mentioned the legislative agenda before the Senate. Why is the government prioritising electoral reform that gives more money to the major parties ahead of actually looking after Australians when they shop at Coles or Woolies? Rather than deal with that, you're looking to entrench the Coles and Woolworths of Australian politics.

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

I don't accept your analysis of the electoral reform, but I would also say that I've outlined a lot of things we're doing on supermarkets to make sure consumers are getting a better deal that doesn't require legislation. In response to your question about legislation, we have legislation before the parliament that deals with a future made in Australia. We've got a whole raft of legislation around Treasury bills. We've got a whole raft of legislation about the universities accord and lowering HECS debt.

Sarah Henderson (Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Education) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You voted against your own policy.

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

Senator Henderson, we know you don't like university students or TAFE students.

Sarah Henderson (Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Education) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Debt is up by 16 per cent.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order, Senator Henderson!

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

We know you want them to pay more. We've got legislation before the parliament in a whole range of areas, like for midwives and school funding.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister Gallagher, please resume your seat. Senator Wong.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On a point of order, Senator Henderson demanded that the minister speak through you. She didn't like someone talking at her, and now she's interjecting without drawing breath.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Minister Wong. Senator Henderson, I have called the Senate to order, and I called—

Senator Henderson! I've called you to order. Minister, please continue.

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

Senator Pocock, to come back to your further question, regulations to make the new mandatory Food and Grocery Code of Conduct will be made this year.

Honourable senators interjecting—

Sarah Henderson (Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Education) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You are a complete dickhead.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister Gallagher, please resume your seat. Minister Wong.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

She should withdraw that. She just swore at the minister and she has to withdraw it.

You don't think that's a swear word?

Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Stick to fundraising.

Sarah Henderson (Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Education) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You are a complete dickhead.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Twice!

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister Wong, I intend to deal with the matter if you resume your seat. Senator Henderson, I didn't hear your remarks, but I am inviting you, if you did make a remark, to please withdraw it in the interests of the chamber.

Sarah Henderson (Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Education) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On a point of order, the minister was impugning motive—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Henderson, that is not a point of order. Resume your seat. I'll say it again, Senator Henderson. Minister Wong has stood on a point of order, and I've asked you to withdraw. I've also indicated to you that I did not hear the comment, but in the interests of the chamber I'm asking you to withdraw.

Sarah Henderson (Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Education) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I withdraw.

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

Such paddock language—I'm shocked! The regulations to make the new mandatory Food and Grocery Code of Conduct will be made this year, with the code coming into force from 1 April 2025. That's the answer.