Tom Morrissey (Progressive Democrats)

I wish to share time with Senator Ormonde.

I support the motion, which covers many issues in the debate, including the consumer strategy group, the new national consumer agency, the national and local decision making process, consumer advocacy procedures, the high level interdepartmental committee and a public consultation process. However, the kernel of the debate is price, which determines a person's disposable income and a company's profits.

The only way to force prices down is through competition. For those of us who work in the marketplace, we have seen at first hand every day, especially over the past five to ten years, what has happened to prices in certain sectors of the economy. Where there is competition, prices fall. For example, prices are at the same level as ten or 15 years ago in a number of sectors because of competition. The process of establishing a consumer agency is being undertaken because of high prices. That is why the consumer strategy group was set up by the former Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Harney, and we await a further report from the group.

I propose a halfway house to address the issue of the groceries order. The invoice price does not take into account the bulk discounts offered by suppliers at the end of the year. The order could be retained on below cost selling but the bulk discounts given by suppliers to grocery stores could be passed on.