Jacqui Lambie fires up on Coles and Woolies
Jacqui Lambie has taken aim at Coles and Woolworths, after an inquiry has been launched against the supermarket giants.
The supermarkets look set to be ordered to front up to a senate inquiry, to examine whether they are price gouging to get record profits amid a cost of living crisis.
However, Tasmanian senator Jacqui Lambie said the supermarkets should face more than just an inquiry, and called on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to take real action.
“Let’s be honest, they are like a bloody cartel,” she told Sky News on Monday.
“I think what I find really shameful … is that we’ve got to run another inquiry to tell us the same thing, when we know very well that if we bulked up the (Australian Competition and Consumer Commission) and gave it more powers they could actually fix this."
“Where is the prime minister? Where is he?”
Before the inquiry can officially be launched, the competition watchdog requires a referral from the Treasurer.
Senator Lambie's opinions come after the Agriculture Minister Murray Watt called on the supermarket chains to freeze the price of a leg of Christmas ham, as Aussies continue to struggle with the cost of living crisis.
“We know families are doing it tough at the moment and the cost of a lot of things is going up,” the Queensland senator said.
“Presents for the kids, fuel to get to the other side of town to see your parents, fresh seafood as well as drinks, the cost of Christmas can really add up.”
“Anything that can be done to give families a hand during this time would really be beneficial.”
Coles and Woolworths have both insisted they will not be looking to hike up prices as it gets closer to the silly season, as both supermarkets have committed to dropping prices of popular Christmas items.
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