LETTUCE EVIDENCE OF ‘RIDICULOUS’ PRICING

I HAVE written on the issues of gas shortages and the rising cost of living previously with a couple of simple suggestions to solve both.

In regard to gas:

AUSTRALIA does not need to charge anything like world parity pricing, as it does for other resources, The gas is ours, not the world’s, and should be sold at a minimal cost/plus price;

DO away with supply charges, which will save people a lot of money. The supply charges were only included in the contracts at privatisation to ensure profits and guarantee a buyer.

If some retailers go by the wayside, so be it. They are only in it for profit and if realistic pricing precludes that profit, then so be it.

In regard to the cost of living: RETURN the Prices Justification Tribunal, which disappeared quietly decades ago.

Supermarkets have recently been charged with price gouging, but I have seen no serious attempt to deal with those charges.

A recent news report said common lettuces are selling at $11.99 each, and at some supermarkets, capsicums are $14.99/kg.

If ever proper justification was needed for such ridiculous pricing, the time is now. And everyone on pensions and welfare needs a realistic payrise, to boot.

Gary Oraniuk, Geelong West