PUBLIC hearings as part of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s supermarket inquiry will be livestreamed from tomorrow.

The ACCC will conduct a series of public hearings from 7 to 22 November as part of its ongoing Supermarkets Inquiry.

The commission said the public hearings will be livestreamed via the ACCC website and will be an opportunity for the ACCC to gain a more complete understanding of the key issues in the retail grocery sector and its associated supply chains.

The hearings will involve executives of Aldi, Coles, Metcash, Woolworths and other stakeholders.

ACCC deputy chair Mick Keogh said the commission has received a large volume of information from the major participants in the supermarket sector and the hearings will provide an opportunity to seek clarification on a range of the very complex matters detailed in that information.

“Our inquiry is ongoing and as such, we have not yet reached concluded views on the key issues flagged in our interim report.

“We will outline our views and recommendations in the final report for the inquiry, which is due to the Treasurer by 28 February 2025,” Mr Keogh said.

The scheduled hearing dates and attendees are as follows:

• 7-8 November – Consumer advocacy groups, supplier industry representative bodies and supplier(s)
• 11-12 November – Aldi
• 14-15 November – Metcash
• 18-19 November – Woolworths
• 21-22 November – Coles

More information on the hearings can found on the ACCC website. The livestream will become available on this webpage: Supermarkets inquiry public hearings

On 25 January 2024, the Australian Government announced that it will direct the ACCC to conduct an inquiry into Australia’s supermarket sector. The ACCC received the formal direction from the Australian Government and the terms of the reference for the inquiry on 1 February 2024.

On 29 February 2024, the ACCC published an online survey and issues paper seeking views from consumers, farmers and other interested parties.  On 27 September 2024, the ACCC published its interim report outlining what it has heard at the half-way point of the inquiry.

The final report for the inquiry is due to be provided to the government by 28 February 2025.

The ACCC’s proceedings against Woolworths and Coles are separate to the inquiry, and the issues in dispute in these proceedings will not be considered by the Supermarkets Inquiry.