'It should have his face on it': Cost-of-living blame game heats up

On the ground in Orange on Wednesday, the Federal leader of The Nationals slammed grocery giants and the Labor government for the current price-gouging at the checkout.

Mr Littleproud says families and business owners in the region are likely to continue to suffer huge financial blows while ever the Labor party is in government.

Amid record high food and energy bills, Mr Littleproud says the blame rests with a slow-to-act Albanese government, which is yet to trigger a targeted meat price inquiry with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).

"When supply goes down, prices go up, which is why every time locals in Orange receive their grocery docket it should have Anthony Albanese's face on it," he said.

"When you're seeing a 70 per cent reduction in sale yard prices compared to an eight per cent reduction at the supermarket, someone's cleaning up and that's Coles and Woolworths.

"We need something to happen here and now, not in two years time, but here and now. That's why this short, sharp inquiry would compel the supermarkets to turn up and actually have the ability to do something before Christmas.

"Not wait until we get a report back."

Recently refusing to commit the government to an ACCC inquiry into supermarket meat prices, agriculture minister Murray Watt said a review is already underway of the food and grocery codes.

Which is why Mr Littleproud spoke at Robertson Park on November 22 of his submission to implement "broader architecture of competition policy" for supermarkets.

He says The Nationals will be collaborative with the government "if they want to take our hand on that".

"Because it's also about getting your energy bill down and understanding that they're spiralling out of control and that's linked to your food bill as well," Mr Littleproud said.

"This is where common sense needs to prevail rather than just flooding money into the economy for a small cohort.

"We actually pull the policy levers that bring and drive down the inflationary pressures because discretionary spending stopped."

Senator with The Nationals, Ross Cadell was also in Orange on Wednesday, reiterating the party's strong ties to Orange and the wider Central West region.

He says a future coalition government with a Nationals member of parliament for Calare is the best solution to tackle rising costs.

"It will put an end to Labor's bad policies which continue to drive up inflation and cost-of-living [pressures]," Mr Cadell said.

"This will also allow pensioners and veterans to work more without it affecting their pension entitlements and support first home-buyers to access their superannuation to invest in their first home."

Mr Littleproud added how the current cost-of-living crisis is the direct result of "an out-of-touch" Labor government - one that "wasted $450 million on the failed Voice Referendum".

He also says since Mr Albanese took the reins the promised $275 reduction in power bills has resulted in electricity rising by 18.2 per cent.

With this, gas is up 28 per cent and food prices climbed by 8.2 per cent.

"Interest rates have increased 12 times since Labor got into office and locals in Orange might try to cut back on some expenses, but they still can't avoid an increase in their food and electricity costs," Mr Littleproud said.

"The coalition will have a clear energy policy at the next election that will go to the heart of energy bills, including nuclear technology.

"Labor has also taken away the tools our farmers in the Central West need to produce food and fibre, by scrapping the Ag visa."

Mr Littleproud says Australia's top peak food industry bodies warned that the agriculture sector would need an additional 172,000 workers.

Though, since Labor got into office, he says around 16,000 Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) workers is a scarce workforce figure.

"This is why [our party has] also been calling for an ACCC inquiry into meat prices," he said, "to try and ensure supermarkets are passing on reduced sheep and cattle prices."

Mr Cadell added how The Nationals will continue to stand by those living in Orange and surrounding towns.

"Our commitment to Calare is pure," he said, "and we won't abandon the people here."

A spokesperson for Woolworths indicated the grocery giant is highly conscious of the rising costs during an economically difficult time nationwide.

"We're acutely aware of the pressure that's being placed on Australian families through cost-of-living increases, whether they are our customers or our team members, and we're doing more everyday to help customers spend less with us," the spokesperson said.

"That's why we have more than 6000 weekly specials, more than 3000 products on our Low Price program, dropped the price of more than 150 popular products for Christmas and introduced Member Pricing for our Everyday Rewards members."

A Coles spokesperson says for every $100 a customer spends, the supermarket makes $2.60.

They say this ensures Coles can continue to employ more than 120,000 Australians, partner with more than 8000 suppliers and farmers, support local communities and "continue to invest in value for the millions of customers" who visit stores weekly.

"At Coles, we believe all Australians should be able to put quality food on the table for their families and we are always exploring ways to reduce prices on the products we sell," the spokesperson said.

"Over the past few months, we've reduced the price on more than 500 products and we're committed to ensuring the products our customers rely on each week are the best possible value they can be."