Supermarket rule changes should mean no more empty shelves
The Queensland Government is passing new laws that will allow supermarkets to truck in supplies at all hours of the day and night to address shortages due to panic buying.
An empty fresh meat fridge at a Woolworths supermarket near Brisbane yesterday. Photo: ABC
Supermarkets will soon be allowed to operate restocking and logistical operations 24 hours a day to get more food on the shelves for hundreds of depleted stores around the state stripped of products amid COVID-19 concerns.
Current restrictions prevent some stores from restocking and operating their loading docks outside of business hours, hindering the process to replenish stock.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said she understood people were stressed by the spread of coronavirus and that a reprieve was days away.
“The message is clear — you do not need to panic buy or unnecessarily stockpile products,” she said.
“Our mighty Queensland manufacturers and food processors are keeping supplies flowing.
“The chief health officer made it clear at the weekend that if you’re in isolation and you run out of food, call 13HEALTH who can organise for food to be delivered.
“But these changes are aimed at getting more groceries on the shelves quicker.
“We’ve seen unprecedented demand for groceries like non-perishable food, toilet paper and other essentials.
“We are not running out of products. But we need to make these changes to get products on the shelves as quickly as possible.”
Palaszczuk also flagged the possibility of allowing grocery stores in regional areas to open earlier and stay open longer, in line with their counterparts in southeast corner.
National Retail Association chief executive Dominique Lamb said extended trading hours would greatly benefit those who have been missing out.
“This will allow large supermarket chains in Queensland to implement their nation-wide policies of reserving special trading hours for the elderly and people with disabilities,” she said.
“It makes sense that this opening time should be available right across Queensland, particularly in the unusual circumstances we now confront.”
The Department of State Development and Manufacturing will also establish a new Essential Goods Supply Committee to help improve supply chain networks across the state during the COVID-19 crisis.
– ABC / state political reporter Josh Bavas
