The ACCC’s confirmation of the inadequacy of the voluntary Grocery Code of Conduct (GCC)* shows the government needs to step in and make the code mandatory, Australian Greens Small business and Competition spokesperson Senator Nick McKim says.

ACCC Chairman Rod Sims says suppliers are already reporting that the big supermarkets are not negotiating their contracts with their suppliers in good faith.

Senator McKim said the result was entirely predictable.

The Nationals’ support for an effects test presents a massive challenge for new Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and his government, Australian Greens spokesperson for Small Business and Competition Policy Senator Nick McKim says.

Yesterday, the Nationals backed a Greens motion in the Senate to advocate for an effects test in competition law, a crucial change that was recently squibbed by the Government.

Australian Greens Senator Nick McKim has been allocated the portfolios of Schools; Attorney-General; and Innovation, Small Business and Competition Policy.

Senator McKim said he was excited to be given the portfolios.

“These are major responsibilities and I can’t wait to get my teeth into them.”

“As a former state Minister for Education, I know well the challenges facing our schools, and will continue to fight for the full implementation of the Gonski reforms.”

Today the Senate supported (34 in favour, 25 against) the Australian Greens amendments to the Treasury Legislation Amendment (Small Business and Unfair Contract Terms) Bill 2015. The Bill seeks to introduce protection for unfair terms in standard form contracts for businesses with less than 20 employees.

Greens spokesperson for Small Business, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson said, “The Greens moved amendments to increase the threshold for coverage from $100,000 to $300,000 for contracts up to 12 months long; and $300,000 to $1 million for contracts greater than 12 months.

Greens spokesperson for Finance, Small Business and Competition Policy expresses his disappointment at Prime Minister Abbott’s indication today that he is crab-walking away from introducing an ‘effects test’

Senator Whish-Wilson said, “This morning it was splashed across our TV screens and newspapers that Small Business Minister Bruce Billson was introducing an ‘effects test’ to Cabinet today and that although there were divisions it was going to pass.

Greens spokesperson for Competition Policy, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson, says if the Government is willing to bring on legislation for a real “Effects Test” to rein in the powers of the supermarket duopoly then the Greens are willing to look at it.

Senator Whish-Wilson said, “The Greens had the strongest competition policies of all the parties at the last Federal election including an effects test. (Link here)

Today the Senate voted against the motion lodged by Greens Finance spokesperson, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson, calling on the government to establish a Royal Commission into misconduct within the financial services sector.

Senator Whish-Wilson said, “It has taken one Senate Inquiry into ASIC, many brave whistle-blowers and some dogged investigative reporting by Fairfax newspapers to reveal systemic abuses and misconduct within the financial services sector.

The Greens spokesperson for Small Business, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson, welcomes the Government’s attempts to put back into this budget, what they themselves took away in the last.