In short
- The Industry Codes–Food and Grocery Regulation 2015 required the government to initiate 2 separate reviews of the Food and Grocery Code
- considered the need for the Code, including whether it should be remade, amended or repealed.
On 10 January 2024, the Prime Minister, the Treasurer, the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, and the Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury announced the appointment of the Hon Dr Craig Emerson to lead the 2023–24 Review of the Food and Grocery Code of Conduct.
Purpose
The purpose of the Food and Grocery Code (the Code) is to address harmful practices in the grocery industry stemming from an imbalance of bargaining power between supermarkets and their suppliers.
Dr Emerson’s final report made 11 recommendations for improving the Code and was published on 24 June 2024.
The Government’s response was published on the same day.
The final report was informed by submissions to a consultation paper and an interim report as well as stakeholder meetings.
Announcements
Ministers' media releases
24 June 2024
- Joint media release by the Hon Dr Jim Chalmers MP, Treasurer, Senator the Hon Murray Watt, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and the Hon Dr Andrew Leigh MP, Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury – Strengthening the Food and Grocery Code to get a fair go for families and farmers
8 April 2024
- Joint media release by the Hon Dr Jim Chalmers MP, Treasurer and and the Hon Dr Andrew Leigh MP, Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury – Release of Food and Grocery Code Review interim report
5 February 2024
- Joint media release by Senator the Hon Murray Watt, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and the Hon Dr Andrew Leigh MP, Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury – Review to get a better deal for families and farmers
Ministers' interviews
24 June 2024
- Joint interview with Hon Dr Andrew Leigh MP, Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury, Senator the Hon Murray Watt, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and Dr Craig Emerson – Joint doorstop interview, Dickson Shops, Canberra
8 April 2024
- Joint interview by the Hon Dr Jim Chalmers MP, Treasurer and the Hon Dr Andrew Leigh MP, Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury – Doorstop interview, Parliament House Canberra
Review chair's statements
24 June 2024
- Statement by the Hon Dr Craig Emerson – Release of the Final Report of the Review of the Grocery Code of Conduct
8 April 2024
- Statement by the Hon Dr Craig Emerson – Release of the Interim Report of the Review of the Grocery Code of Conduct
5 February 2024
- Statement by the Hon Dr Craig Emerson – Consultation paper for review of Food and Grocery Code of Conduct released