Supermarkets inquiry: forcibly break up major retailers for anti-competitive behaviour, report says

Senate committee examined how major chains including Coles and Woolworths have set prices during Australia’s cost of living crisis

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Major supermarkets should be forcibly broken up if they engage in anti-competitive behaviour, a Senate inquiry has recommended, in a move designed to empower shoppers and suppliers against Australia’s dominant food retailers.

The findings pit the Greens-chaired Senate committee against the Labor government, which opposes legislative changes that would allow the court-enforced divestiture of assets. Supporters say the move would act as an incentive for supermarkets to not misuse market power.

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