Summarised by Centrist
David Seymour says ACT has prevented its coalition partners from breaking up Foodstuffs during this parliamentary term and could oppose the policy again in negotiations over the next government.
“If it wasn’t for ACT, it would have happened already,” Seymour told TVNZ’s Breakfast. “So we have stopped it.”
However, he stopped short of an unconditional election promise: “That’s our position now. Let’s see what the next Cabinet looks like.”
National and NZ First support breaking up Foodstuffs, with National’s proposal conditional on a Commerce Commission recommendation. Labour proposes separating the wholesale and retail operations of both Foodstuffs and Woolworths.
Seymour questioned whether restructuring would deliver meaningful savings and challenged Labour’s claimed household savings.
“I’d love to see where she gets that figure from,” he said.
An independent analysis commissioned by the Government identified potential benefits from restructuring, alongside significant costs and risks. The Commerce Commission has found competition is not working well for consumers, with the major supermarket groups retaining more than 80% of the national market.
Seymour argues forced restructuring could deter investment. ACT instead favours removing planning and regulatory barriers to new competitors.
He also claims at least five National MPs privately raised concerns about their party’s policy. Nicola Willis disputes suggestions of significant caucus dissent, saying MPs were relaying constituents’ concerns.
The disagreement leaves National’s supermarket promise dependent on both the commission’s assessment and the outcome of any future coalition negotiations.
Image: The Platform NZ
Re-published from the Centrist with permission
