Farm Writers Lunch
Fixing the cost-of-living crisis – are the supermarkets really the ones to blame
Friday 21 June 2024
12:00 for 12:30pm
SOLD OUT
Join us to hear Mick Keogh and Emma Germano, two titans of the debate about the future of Australia’s food and grocery landscape.
Consolidate or divest? Fine or prime? Condemn or condone? Where you stand on the question of supermarket pricing and who’s responsible may not always depend upon where you sit. Reviews, inquiries, hearings, submissions, people in costumes, shouting and threats – apparently, it’s all part of the process of bringing down the price of fresh food at the supermarket checkout. But is it as simple as that? Should there be greater price transparency between the farm gate and supermarket prices, and who’s to be held responsible for allegations of price gouging, rank profiteering and anti-competitive behaviour? What’s the link between what the farmer is paid at the farm gate and what we pay at the supermarket checkout, if any? Are the supermarkets really the bad guy, or are there other factors at play?
Our June lunch features two titans of the debate about the future of Australia’s food and grocery landscape.
Emma Germano is Managing Director of her family mixed operation I Love Farms in South Gippsland, Victoria, growing vegetables and running sheep and beef cattle. I Love Farms has a farm-gate store which allows connection between the farm and the community.
Serving as the President of the Victorian Farmers Federation and as a director of the Queen Victoria Market, Emma is also a Nuffield Scholar (2014), her research examined global export opportunities for Australian primary producers.
Emma is a farmer from Victoria and has been an outspoken critic of the supermarkets and associated supply chains; she will bring her usual passion to the fore at this week’s lunch.
At the other end of the spectrum, Deputy Chair of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), Mick Keogh, is an equally long-standing champion for fair competition in the Australian agriculture sector. As the umpire, how will the ACCC go about sorting out the facts during its current Inquiry, and what opportunities does the ACCC presently have to address concerns about coercion and anti-competitive practices? What role, if any, could the ACCC potentially play in delivering greater competition and lower supermarket prices?
Emma and Mick join NSW Farm Writers for what promises to be a fascinating discussion about all things supermarkets, competition and fairness for farmers. Maybe you’ll come away with a different perspective – but we can guarantee you’ll have your perspective challenged by these engaging experts.
**Due to unfortunate personal circumstances, the Hon Bob Katter MP is unable to attend our event on Friday. Mr Katter sends his apologies, and we hope we can get him back for an event in the future.
Bookings for this lunch will close on 17 June 2024. Please advise of any dietary requirements at the time of booking.
For any questions, contact bookings@nswfarmwriters.org.au
The Marriott and Farm Writers have COVID-safe practices in place, in line with the current guidelines for gatherings in hospitality venues. A full refund will be available should fresh restrictions mean cancelling or switching to a webinar.
