Australia’s consumer watchdog is set to receive a $30 million boost to lead further crackdowns on “misleading and deceptive pricing practices” that have been uncovered in Coles and Woolworths.
澳大利亚的消费者监管机构将获得 3000 万澳元的资助,以领导进一步打击在 Coles 和 Woolworths 中发现的“误导性和欺骗性定价行为”。
On Tuesday, the Albanese government said the funding will help the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) conduct more investigations and enforcements to curb “unfair” practices by the supermarket duopoly.
周二,阿尔巴尼斯政府表示,这笔资金将帮助澳大利亚竞争与消费者委员会(ACCC)进行更多的调查和执法,以遏制超市双头垄断的“不公平”做法。
It comes after the ACCC recently launched legal action against Coles and Woolworths for allegedly misleading consumers through discount pricing claims on hundreds of common supermarket products.
此前,ACCC 最近对 Coles 和 Woolworths 提起法律诉讼,指控其通过对数百种常见超市产品的折扣定价索赔来误导消费者。
These alleged practices all occurred when inflation in Australia was at its highest, according to analysis from the Australia Institute that explains how Coles and Woolworths often take turns to offer specials, working together to compete against other, smaller grocery stores.
根据澳大利亚研究所的分析,这些所谓的做法都发生在澳大利亚的通货膨胀率最高时,该分析解释了 Coles 和 Woolworths 如何经常轮流提供特价商品,共同与其他较小的杂货店竞争。
“We don’t want to see ordinary Australians, families and pensioners being taken for a ride by the supermarkets, and we’re taking steps to make sure they get a fair go at the checkout,” Albanese said in announcing the $30 million for the ACCC.
“我们不希望看到普通澳大利亚人、家庭和养老金领取者被超市带去兜风,我们正在采取措施确保他们在结账时得到公平的机会,”阿尔巴尼斯在宣布为 ACCC 提供 3000 万澳元时说。
There’s no getting around the fact that everyday Australians are paying a price for the dodgy practices and skyrocketing prices we’ve seen in the major supermarkets.
无法回避的事实是,每天的澳大利亚人都在为我们在大型超市看到的狡猾做法和飞涨的价格付出代价。
And sadly, it’s the people with the least who are struggling the most to keep up amid the cost-of-living crisis.
可悲的是,在生活成本危机中,最努力跟上的是那些最贫穷的人。
Who’s losing out? 谁在输?
While Coles and Woolworths report record profits and control 65 per cent of the grocery market, it’s young women and single mothers and their children who are let down the most.
虽然 Coles 和 Woolworths 报告了创纪录的利润并控制了 65% 的杂货市场,但最令人失望的是年轻女性和单身母亲及其孩子。
In Australia, we know that as many as 50 per cent of Australia’s single mothers are burdened by poverty. And it’s these household that are especially vulnerable to food insecurity. Rising grocery costs and unfair practices by Coles and Woolworths are leaving these households without the necessities and groceries they need.
在澳大利亚,我们知道多达 50% 的澳大利亚单身母亲背负着贫困的负担。正是这些家庭特别容易受到粮食不安全的影响。不断上涨的杂货成本以及 Coles 和 Woolworths 的不公平做法使这些家庭无法获得所需的必需品和杂货。
Just this week, a new study found that one in 10 pregnant women are going hungry and are too afraid to ask for help, and two in five pregnant women surveyed were changing the quality of their diet or eating less as a result.
就在本周,一项新的研究发现,每 10 名孕妇中就有 1 名挨饿并且不敢寻求帮助,而接受调查的孕妇中有五分之二正在改变饮食质量或因此减少饮食。
Australia’s hunger problem is no small issue.
澳大利亚的饥饿问题可不是个小问题。
Foodbank’s latest report found that in the previous 12 months, 3.7 million Australian households (36 per cent) experienced moderate to severe food insecurity. That’s more than the number of households in Sydney and Melbourne combined.
Foodbank 的最新报告发现,在过去 12 个月中,370 万澳大利亚家庭 (36%) 经历了中度至重度粮食不安全。这比悉尼和墨尔本的家庭数量总和还要多。
It’s also the younger generations who are worst impacted by the cost-of-living crisis, with young women struggling the most. Coupled with growing housing insecurity and a wealth divide between the generations, it’s these young women who are hardest hit by grocery prices and unfair practices by the supermarket duopoly.
受生活成本危机影响最严重的也是年轻一代,其中年轻女性的挣扎最为严重。再加上日益严重的住房不安全和代际财富鸿沟,这些年轻女性受到杂货价格和超市双头垄断不公平行为的打击最严重。
The lack of competition in the sector is also severely affecting those in regional areas.
该行业缺乏竞争也严重影响了偏远地区的人们。
It’s good to see the Albanese governemnt put some might behind it’s push to hold Coles and Woolworths accountable. Women across the nation are counting on it.
很高兴看到阿尔巴尼斯政府在推动追究 Coles 和 Woolworths 的责任后付出了一些力量。全国各地的女性都指望着它。