David Norris (Independent)

I support my colleague, Senator O'Toole, who expressed his concern about the prices for various products. In particular, we are right up at the top for bread, cereals, meat, milk, cheese and eggs. The list is interesting because I believe I was just about the only Member of this House who opposed the abolition of the groceries order. Members were told by allegedly reputable financial sources that a list of goods would fall in price. However, the price of every single one of them has risen. What I prophesied has happened, namely, prices have risen and the net impact of the removal of the groceries order has been to concentrate power in the hands of some of the larger supermarkets and food conglomerates and to drive out the smaller shops.