with Susan Templeman MP Federal Member for Macquarie

Modern cars are computers on wheels, and relatively few things these days can just be fixed with a spanner. More often, you need diagnostic tools and to tap into the software.

For too long independent mechanics haven’ t been given the password for those diagnostic tools, forcing car owners to rely on big dealerships.

We’ ve introduced a new law giving mechanics the right-to-repair, with car manufacturers now required to share diagnostic information with skilled mechanics on fair terms.

For consumers, it means real choice about where to take their vehicle.

For local garages, it means a fair chance to compete.

Farmers are also calling for a legislated right to repair for agricultural machinery. So, we’ re working with the sector to see how we might make a difference there next. From mechanics in Mulgrave to farmers in Macdonald Valley, Australians understand the value of choice, fairness and competition.

These principles are important at the checkout too, and we’ re using all the levers we have to help you get a fairer deal at the supermarket.

For a start, we’ ve called out dodgy practices, like“ shrinkflation”. Shrinkflation isn’ t new, but few of us have the time to carefully weigh packets or check the fine print on labels. Most of us just reach for the same product we’ ve always bought.

That’ s why the government is strengthening the Unit Pricing Code which tells you the cost per litre / per kilo / per 100

grams. It helps you work out whether the larger pack is really better value, or whether a different brand gives you more for your money.

Our initiative to pay for every Australian to have access to the CHOICE quarterly report into supermarket prices has also made a difference to consumer power.

In NSW ALDI has regularly been the cheapest on a set basket of goods, but the others are lifting their game and IGA is keeping competitive with the big two.

Of course, I always remind people to check out our local growers, who can offer the very best, fresh produce at farm shops and markets.

As a government, we’ ve imposed tougher regulations on the supermarkets through the Food and Grocery Code. We’ re banning supermarket price gouging, increasing ACCC funding by over $ 30

million to go after supermarkets using misleading pricing tactics, and improving transparency about price trends and promotions.

I want to welcome an initiative by one of the major supermarkets, Woolworths, which you might have seen has arrived in the Hawkesbury – Scan & Go Trolleys.

Scan & Go devices look like an iPad and they sit in a holder on the trolley. Using the built-in scanner, you scan items as you pick them up, then put straight into your shopping bags, displaying a running tally of your total spend and helping you stick to your budget.

None of these things are an instant fix for the higher costs of living that people are feeling around the world. But shoppers deserve clarity, and competition works best when information is open and transparent, and our measures help do that.

with Robyn Preston MP Member for Hawkesbury

Thank you to everyone who has contacted my office to object the almost 40 % rate rise proposed by Hawkesbury City Council.

I want to make it quite clear that I do not support this rate rise. Council needs to find a better solution than slugging residents and small businesses at one of the most challenging times. Council staff should go back to the drawing board and find other measures of cost-saving. Can

they work smarter, more efficiently and leaner? Those are the sorts of questions they should be looking at before considering a rate rise. A rate rise should be the absolute last resort.

Families and small businesses across the region are tightening their belts and the last thing they need is another financial burden imposed by their local council.

Council has publicly stated that this Special Rate Variation( SRV) is necessary to maintain services and address budget shortfalls. Many residents are asking

me why they are being hit with such a rate hike when their services have not increased. What additional benefits will rate payers receive for such an exorbitant charge?

Before asking ratepayers to pay more, Council should review its financial income and expenditure and find ways to operate more cost effectively because residents and businesses in Hawkesbury have had to do just that.

The cost of everyday living, coupled with the demands that families are dealing with including rental increases,

continually fluctuating fuel prices, groceries, health costs and education needs, can cause anxiety and despair.

Over 2,000 residents have signed a petition opposing the rate rise and I know that there are many more who may have not signed a petition but feel the same way.

I hope that Hawkesbury City Council takes note and is responsive. I know that Council will find a way to scrutinise its operations and will hopefully find an alternative that doesn’ t put the burden back on the ratepayer.