Taking on Big Companies to Bring Down Prices

The Nationals are taking on big companies pushing up prices and squeezing farmers

Australians are sick of feeling like the system is stacked against them. They’re paying more at the checkout, while farmers struggle to make ends meet. That points to a simple problem: our markets aren’t working properly anymore.

In a healthy market, businesses compete. They compete for customers and for farmers’ produce. That keeps prices down and ensures everyone gets a fair deal.

But in too many sectors, a small number of players call the shots. When that happens, competition can weaken. Prices go up. Farmers get squeezed.

That’s why the Nationals will act. We will support the power to break up companies that have been proven to abuse their market power and are harming competition – known as divestiture powers.

This is a last resort. But right now, Australia has no real way to address market concentration. That’s not good enough. If businesses are using their power to unfairly squeeze farmers or push up prices, there must be consequences.

This isn’t a radical position. It’s common-sense, and other countries already do it:

• In the United States, competition authorities have long had the power to break up companies that harm competition.
• In the United Kingdom, regulators can require companies to divest.
• In the European Union, law allows structural remedies, including divestiture.

Australia should not be the exception.

This is not about punishing success. Businesses that compete fairly have nothing to fear. Big and successful businesses are good for Australia.

It’s about drawing a line: no company should be able to use its size to shut out competitors, push farmers around, or lock in its dominance.

Divestiture powers will change that.

They act as a backstop. They set expectations. They ensure markets stay open and competitive. In most cases, we hope these powers won’t need to be used – but their existence will change behaviour for the better.

Australians believe in a fair go. That includes for farmers and families.

The Nationals want an economy where success comes from serving customers – not from stacking the deck. Restoring competition is a practical step we can take to bring down costs, support farmers, and ensure our economy is working for all Australians.