Federal government to target ‘shrinkflation’ at supermarkets
Sarah Basford Canales
The Albanese government is looking at cracking down on “dodgy discounts” by supermarkets who reduce product sizes but maintain or increase prices as part of its campaign against misleading and deceptive pricing in the sector.
The government will consult on changes to strengthen the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s Price Unit Code, which requires larger supermarkets and grocers to provide cost per unit breakdowns on price tags within stores and online.
The code means, for example, price tags for laundry detergents are broken down by cost per litre to allow consumers to compare products. Fresh produce price tags must also show price per kilogram or grams.
The government announced it would consult on the following changes:
-
Improving readability and visibility of unit pricing in stores,
-
Addressing inconsistent use of units of measure across supermarkets,
-
Whether to expand the scope of retailers covered by the code,
-
More specific prominence and legibility requirements, and
-
Improving the use of unit pricing in cross-retailer price comparisons.
The ACCC will also be funded to launch a consumer awareness campaign on how unit pricing can help Australians get better deals.
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese said “tackling ‘shrinkflation’ through stronger unit pricing and new penalties is part of our plan to get a better deal for Australians”.
We are also making changes to make sure the ACCC is a tough cop on the beat, while also encouraging more competition and making sure there are significant consequences for supermarkets who do the wrong thing.
Key events
First test flight takes off from Western Sydney Airport
The first plane has taken off and landed at what will be Australia’s next international airport, AAP reports.
A test pilot hit the milestone in a Piper PA-30 Twin Comanche aircraft at Western Sydney International Airport after completing a series of landing and take-off runs during daylight, dusk and evening conditions yesterday.
The trial comes ahead of the introduction of larger passenger planes which are scheduled to begin using the runway from late 2026.
The airport will open with one runway and will be able to cater for up to ten million passengers a year from day one of operations.
Weather warnings in WA, SA and NT
Let’s take a look at some of the weather warnings that are current across the country today.
In Western Australia, a severe weather warning for damaging winds is in place for much of the south coast.
Damaging winds around 60-70km/h with peak gusts around 100km/h are likely along the coastal fringe. The system is expected to be windier than typical and unusual for this time of year, the Bureau says.
There is also a separate coastal hazard warning for damaging surf conditions.
In South Australia, a severe weather warning for damaging winds is in place for western parts of the state today. The risk is expected to ease by the mid to late afternoon. Locations which may be affected include Ceduna, Wudinna, Maralinga, Cook, Nullarbor and Streaky Bay.
And in the Northern Territory, a severe heatwave warning remains in place for Daly and the Tiwi Districts. Maximum temperatures in the high thirties to low forties are forecast. Severe heatwave conditions are set to persist until at least early next week in Daly.
Sydney protest organisers ask attendees not to bring Hezbollah flags
Josh Lees said rally organisers were asking those attending not to bring Hezbollah flags, because “they could be deemed illegal, and because we don’t want people to face arrest or legal troubles.”
I personally would not fly that flag, I don’t politically agree with Hezbollah, but we defend people’s right to hold pieces of cloth, yes, and I don’t think that the way it’s being talked about is at all reasonable in the media.
As I said, there’s no discussion of banning the Israeli flag, whereas that is a state that’s actually carried out far greater acts of terrorism and is right now starting another war on Lebanon, the fourth invasion of Lebanon in Israel’s history.
So we should have some perspective [when] we’re talking about Hezbollah and flags, about what’s what’s really going on.
For more on this topic, you can read our explainer from Tory Shepherd below:
Pro-Palestine rally organiser says Sunday protest will go ahead regardless of court outcome
Josh Lees, a member of the Palestine Action Group Sydney, also spoke with ABC RN about the planned pro-Palestine rally in Sydney, scheduled for Sunday.
He said the group would be going ahead with the protest “regardless of what happens in the court”.
He also said the event planned on Monday 7 October would be “a small candlelight vigil to commemorate those that have been killed over the past year”.
It’s mainly about the chance for Palestinian and Lebanese people to come and grieve for the thousands of people who have died, and for their loved ones …
Host Patricia Karvelas asked whether victims of the 7 October Hamas attack would also be recognised at the vigil. Lees said people were welcome to mourn whoever they want:
October 7 is also when the genocide in Gaza began. That’s when Israeli leaders proclaimed their intention to go in and level Gaza, to starve it, to bomb it to hell. So this is also the date that marks the beginning of the genocide in Gaza. And you know, I wonder if you are putting the same question to those organising memorials for the Israeli victims of October 7, are you demanding that they mourn the 42,000 dead Palestinians?
Marles weighs in on pro-Palestine protest planned in Sydney
The deputy prime minister was also asked about comments from the PM yesterday, that 7 October is “not a time for demonstrations to occur.”
Richard Marles said he “condemn[s] in the strongest possible terms” anyone “seeking to protest in support of terrorist organisations”, including Hezbollah and Hamas.
I think it’s also worth observing that October 7 is the anniversary of a tragic and solemn day, a day on which innocent people lost their lives, the single largest loss of Jewish life since the Holocaust. It is a moment to commemorate that, and to commemorate that with all the solemnity which is appropriate for that occasion …
There are laws applied that will apply here as well. And the authorities, principally the state authorities who implemented these laws, are clearly acting as we speak. Now, that’s where we’re at at this moment.
The Australia Palestine Advocacy Network president, Nasser Mashni, previously said the protests were essential “expressions of solidarity” for communities in Australia looking to oppose Israel’s actions in Gaza and Lebanon.
Marles calls for diplomacy to address growing violence in Middle East
Richard Marles continued, clarifying his stance to ABC RN and saying it was “completely appropriate” to call for diplomacy:
Countries have a right to defend themselves. No one is suggesting anything different to that, and we have been consistent about Israel’s right to defend itself from the outset.
The engagement in one’s own defence, it is important that that is done proportionately, and that is because we do not want to see steps taken which give rise to an escalation in this conflict, and that is exactly why we condemn the actions of Iran in firing these missiles.
That said, it is really important that we – as a member of the international community – are articulating in the strongest possible voice the need for diplomacy to be engaged in to see it into the hostilities. And we’re doing that as well, and that’s that’s completely appropriate.
Marles says Middle East conflict is causing ‘unacceptable’ loss of life
The deputy prime minister, Richard Marles, is speaking with ABC RN from New Zealand where he is meeting with regional counterparts.
Asked about the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East, and whether “ceasefire negotiations in Gaza are now dead”, Marles said the “continued violence in the Middle East is obviously giving rise to enormous threat to civilian life”.
I think the international community is desperate to see an end to this violence, and certainly that’s how we’re exercising our international voice.
Marles was asked if he agrees with US president Joe Biden, that the IDF should respond with a proportional response.
He responded that Israel has been the subject of attacks from Iran, Hezbollah and Hamas, and “we condemn those attacks in the strongest possible terms”. He said:
Israel has a right to defend itself. Every country has a right to defend itself, and to do so in a proportionate way. That said, we are calling for a ceasefire, along with the United States, along with other members of the international community.
The continued violence in the Middle East is giving rise to … unacceptable numbers of civilian lives lost, and the ongoing violence is a threat to civilian life. And we, along with international community, urge an end to this.
Marles said that “this is the moment for diplomacy” and “we need to see every effort being made to try and bring about an end to the hostilities in the Middle East, because because of the extraordinary loss of civil in life that we’ve seen as a result of this.”
Palestine advocate says planned protests ‘not provocative’
Nasser Mashni, president of the Australian Palestine Advocacy Network, spoke with ABC News Breakfast earlier and was asked about comments from the prime minister yesterday that 7 October was “not a time for demonstrations to occur”.
A pro-Palestine protest is planned for 6 October in Sydney and a vigil planned for 7 October – but NSW police have applied to the state’s supreme court to attempt to prevent these from going ahead.
Mashni said he doesn’t accept a rally would be “provocative”:
We have [been protesting for] 51 weeks in a row, [and it’s been] absolutely peaceful. Millions of Australians have come out, it’s not provocative at all.
What’s provocative is the fact that our government isn’t listening to tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, millions of Australians, who have signed petitions, called their MPs, have done everything they’re supposed to do within this democratic framework to say ‘enough’ …
If my neighbour was beating his dog I can’t keep saying [something]. At some point I’m compelled to jump the fence and grab his hand.
Asked about the supreme court decision, Mashni said he has “faith in our judicial system”.
Almost 550 drug overdoses in Victoria in 2023
A new report from the Victorian coroners court shows that 547 Victorians died from overdose last year.
This is close to the 550 overdose deaths recorded in 2022, which marked the highest annual number recorded in the past decade.
Some key findings included in the report include:
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Men are on average twice as likely as women to die from overdose, and people aged between 35 and 54 are most at risk.
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Metropolitan Melbourne accounts for approximately three-quarters of overdose deaths.
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A majority (71.5%) of overdose deaths involved multiple drugs in 2023.
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The five top contributing drugs to overdose deaths were diazepam (213 deaths), heroin (204 deaths), methamphetamine (164 deaths), alcohol (153 deaths) and pregabalin (78 deaths).
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From 2014–23 the proportion of Victorian overdose deaths involving illegal drugs increased, from 41.3% in 2014 to 59% in 2023.
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Most overdose deaths are unintentional. In 2023, 395 of the 547 overdose deaths were unintentional, 114 were intentional and in 38 cases intent was unable to be determined based on the evidence available at the time of coding.
The Victorian state coroner, John Cain, said the overdose deaths were “preventable” and that “we must strengthen our public health response and increase access to supports and treatment”.
Drug-related harms are complex and are driven by a variety of factors including changes in drug use, availability and regulation. That is why coronial data is so integral to understanding how best to target resources and save lives.
Advocates concerned aged care homes not meeting direct care targets
Cota Australia, a leading advocacy group for older people, says it is concerned by new data showing six out of 10 aged care homes are falling short on their mandatory minutes of direct care and registered nurse targets.
Data from April to June, released today, shows many aged care homes are failing to meet their direct care targets. Chief executive Patricia Sparrow said increasing the mandatory minutes of care was a key recommendation of the royal commission into aged care, and a “substantial” piece of reform last year.
The fact that too many older people are still not getting the mandated minutes of care is a real concern … Basic direct care isn’t a ‘nice to have’, it’s crucial and the absolute minimum we should expect for older Australians in aged care.
Care minutes are the amount of direct care people in residential care receive from RN, enrolled nurses and nursing assistants. This month aged care providers are expected to increase their care minutes to an average of 215 minutes per resident, per day, including at least 44 minutes of care provided by a registered nurse.
Sparrow said it was especially concerning compliance rates in for-profit aged care homes are significantly lower than those run by not-for-profit providers – only 23% of for-profit providers met both their RN and total care minutes in the quarter.
High fire danger rating for Queensland today
In Queensland today, the fire danger rating is sitting at high in most parts of the state.
The high fire danger rating means there is a heightened risk of fire, with people urged to stay alert in their area. The fire department said:
If you had plans to grind, slash or mow today please reconsider … If work needs to happen today, be alert and make sure you have water on hand to extinguish any spot fires.
If you had plans to grind, slash or mow today please reconsider.
The Fire Danger Rating is sitting at HIGH in most parts of the state, which means there’s a heightened risk of fires.
If work needs to happen today, be alert and make sure you have water on hand to extinguish… pic.twitter.com/DeLelM8O8C
— Queensland Fire Department (@QldFireDept) October 2, 2024
Good morning
Emily Wind
And happy Thursday – many thanks to Martin for kicking things off for us. I’m Emily Wind, and I’ll be taking you through our rolling coverage for most of today.
If you have any thoughts, tips or feedback, you can reach out via X, @emilywindwrites, or send me an email: emily.wind@theguardian.com.
Let’s go.
Impromptu haka leaves Jahrome Hughes with a tear in his eye after Dally M
An emotional Jahrome Hughes has admitted he had a tear in his eye after Melbourne teammates launched into a haka to honour his Dally M Medal, AAP reports.
In scenes reminiscent of fellow New Zealander Roger Tuivasa-Sheck’s win in 2018, Melbourne winger Will Warbrick took over the Dally Ms to celebrate Hughes’ award.
After holding off James Tedesco by one vote and landing the first big individual honour of his career, Hughes watched as Warbrick launched into a haka alongside Storm second-rower Eliesa Katoa and Canberra prop Joseph Tapine.
“That meant a lot,” Hughes said.
To see that brought a tear to my eye. For them to do that is truly special. For myself, my culture and family, it just topped off an awesome night.
For more on the awards read our full report:
Miles and Crisafulli to participate in live TV debate for Queensland election
Queensland premier Steven Miles and opposition leader David Crisafulli will lock horns in an election debate as Queenslanders prepare to head to the polls, AAP reports.
The top-job hopefuls will go head-to-head on the Nine Network at 7.30pm (AEST) in Brisbane tonight before a second debate at the Queensland Media Club 10 days before the election.
Both leaders kicked off their campaigns in regional centres where key issues such as cost-of-living, health, housing and crime are pertinent.
Polls are pointing to a change of government on 26 October, with the Liberal National party leading 56% to 46% on a two-party preferred basis.
The premier and senior ministers announced on day two of the campaign that Labor would establish a state-wide publicly-owned energy retailer if re-elected.
The retailer would use existing infrastructure and be up and running within 12 months, the premier said.
Crisafulli pledged $30m towards an agriculture innovation fund to attract research opportunities to improve the sector.
Federal government to target ‘shrinkflation’ at supermarkets
Sarah Basford Canales
The Albanese government is looking at cracking down on “dodgy discounts” by supermarkets who reduce product sizes but maintain or increase prices as part of its campaign against misleading and deceptive pricing in the sector.
The government will consult on changes to strengthen the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s Price Unit Code, which requires larger supermarkets and grocers to provide cost per unit breakdowns on price tags within stores and online.
The code means, for example, price tags for laundry detergents are broken down by cost per litre to allow consumers to compare products. Fresh produce price tags must also show price per kilogram or grams.
The government announced it would consult on the following changes:
-
Improving readability and visibility of unit pricing in stores,
-
Addressing inconsistent use of units of measure across supermarkets,
-
Whether to expand the scope of retailers covered by the code,
-
More specific prominence and legibility requirements, and
-
Improving the use of unit pricing in cross-retailer price comparisons.
The ACCC will also be funded to launch a consumer awareness campaign on how unit pricing can help Australians get better deals.
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese said “tackling ‘shrinkflation’ through stronger unit pricing and new penalties is part of our plan to get a better deal for Australians”.
We are also making changes to make sure the ACCC is a tough cop on the beat, while also encouraging more competition and making sure there are significant consequences for supermarkets who do the wrong thing.
Welcome
Good morning and welcome to our live news blog. I’m Martin Farrer with the top overnight stories and then it’ll be Emily Wind with the main action.
Annual rent increases for houses have hit multi-year lows in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide, suggesting a relentless stretch of rising rents may have peaked, a new report has found. Renters are still feeling the pinch from record high prices but the data from Domain revealed the lowest September quarter growth rate since 2019 for houses and 2020 for units.
Speaking of cost-of-living issues, the Albanese government is looking to crack down on shrinkflation, the phenomenon where items in your shopping basked get smaller while staying the same price. More on that in a few minutes.
Peter Cain, the ACT’s shadow attorney general, has apologised “wholeheartedly” for a 2002 workbook he wrote which paints an ahistorically rosy picture of how Christian settlers helped First Nations peoples.
Queensland’s premier, Steven Miles, will promise his state’s households they will always have the cheapest power prices of all mainland states in the national electricity market if Labor is elected this month. He will announce a plan today to use the firm to create an “energy price guarantee” that Queensland household bills would remain the lowest outside Western Australia. Later he faces off against his LNP rival David Crisafulli in a televised debate.
