Fed: Retail code of practice not strong enough small grocers

AAP General News (Australia)
12-18-1999
Fed: Retail code of practice not strong enough small grocers

The federal government has been accused of buckling under pressure from the major retail
chains for failing to put teeth into a code of conduct for the retailing industry.

The government's response to the report of a parliamentary inquiry into retailing came
down on the side of a voluntary code of practice.

It also preferred only voluntary notification of retail store acquisitions by publicly
listed corporations.

The committee, headed by Liberal MP BRUCE BAIRD, had supported mandatory requirements
on both counts.

The National Association of Retail Grocers of Australia says the government's response
is a major victory for the big end of town and its economic rationalist supporters.

NARGA spokesman ALAN McKENZIE says the government has opposed sensible and important
recommendations.

AAP RTV dep/msk/smf

KEYWORD: RETAIL (CANBERRA)

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