## Farmers Fear Retaliation in Supermarket Inquiry
Woolworths, Coles, Aldi, and IGA.
The first hearing will be held in Bundaberg, a major agricultural region that produces over $1 billion worth of products annually. Member for Bundaberg and chair of the inquiry, Tom Smith, stated that some of the hearings would be closed to protect farmers who fear speaking publicly against the supermarkets.
Farmers have expressed concerns about the supermarkets' undervaluing their products, leading to decreased profits. Trevor Cross, owner of Cross Family Farms, hopes the inquiry will highlight the discrepancies between farm gate prices and supermarket shelf prices. He believes farmers are not receiving a fair share of the profits and suggests a cap on supermarket markups to prevent price gouging.
The inquiry has received submissions from major supermarket chains and industry groups. Bundaberg Fruit and Vegetable Growers chief executive Bree Watson will present evidence on supermarket markups and profit margins. She emphasizes the need for any changes to be sustainable and not burden farmers.
The inquiry aims to complement other reviews, including the Senate Inquiry into supermarket prices, and will focus on potential state-level legislation. The committee's recommendations will be presented to the government, potentially leading to legislative and regulatory changes to ensure fairness for both farmers and consumers.