The Victorian Greens have slammed the Coalition's plan to sell off Melbourne's wholesale fruit and vegetable market, warning that at a time when Victorians are struggling with soaring grocery prices and a cost-of-living crisis, the last thing we need is more privatisation. Decades of selling off essential public assets have shown that privatisation puts corporate profits ahead of the public interest, leaving everyday people to foot the bill.
While Labor has no serious plan to bring down grocery prices and the Liberals want to privatise critical public infrastructure, the Greens want to establish publicly owned supermarkets selling essentials for 30% less than Coles and Woolworths.
As stated by Aiv Puglielli MP, Victorian Greens spokesperson for Economic Justice:
"Labor has no plan to make groceries cheaper. The Liberals want to privatise our wholesale fruit and veg market. The Greens want to open publicly owned supermarkets. The contrast couldn't be clearer.
"At a time when Victorians are paying through the nose for groceries, the Liberals' big idea is to sell off our wholesale fruit and vegetable market.
"We all know what happens when essential public assets are privatised. Corporate profits come first, and everyday people are left paying the price.
"While Labor sits on its hands and the Liberals dream up new things to privatise, the Greens have a plan to take on Coles and Woolworths and make essential groceries 30% cheaper at publicly owned local supermarkets.
Only the Greens will make buying groceries cheaper while backing Aussie farmers."
