The price of food keeps rising at the local supermarket.
There are multiple contributing factors, despite the denials ‘food inflation’ is being heavily impacted by government policy.
This week, Treasurer Jim Chalmers claimed reduced backpacker numbers will not increase prices at the supermarket.
If he doesn’t know that claim is false, he doesn’t have the skills to effectively do his job.
While international factors increase fuel and fertiliser prices, which also flow on to the supermarket shelf, other factors within our control are contributing to food inflation.
Massive quantities of water are being removed from food production, with no consideration to the inflationary consequences or the impact on food prices and food security.
And, just like we see with fewer backpackers, government ministers cannot, or will not, acknowledge their policies are hurting everyday Australians by increasing their weekly food bill.
Put simply, if our farmers cannot grow and harvest crops, we have less to sell, and the price goes up.
Why is such simple economics so difficult for a treasurer (with an economics degree) and his colleagues to understand?
Instead of putting hurdles in front of farmers at every turn, Australians need government policy that improves their productivity, which helps deliver national food security and reduces food prices.
Yours etc,
Shelley Scoullar
Executive officer
Murray Regional Strategy Group
11°C