by Bonnie Collings

Reducing the price of groceries, increasing support for local food enterprises and long-term solutions for high energy prices were key focuses of independent candidate for Monash Deb Leonard's cost-of-living policy, announced last Thursday at Baw Baw Food Relief in Warragul.

After touring the Baw Baw Food Relief centre, Ms Leonard announced her cost-of-living policy, promising to target the main areas of concern for Monash residents
"All over Monash, foodbanks like Baw Baw Food Relief are under immense pressure as more and more people in our community can't afford day-to-day living costs," Ms Leonard said. "Something has to change."
Ms Leonard's policy focused on the three largest cost-of-living pressures identified by Monash residents; grocery prices, energy prices and housing affordability.
"The cost of living is one of the top issues people have told me is affecting them," she said.
"Based on this feedback, my team and I have tailored our cost-of-living policy to provide relief directly where it is needed."
To address concerns regarding grocery prices, Ms Leonard committed to "breaking up" the supermarket duopoly.
"Coles and Woolworths control two thirds of the grocery sector and make billions in profits each year," Ms Leonard said. "Meanwhile they're paying their shop workers minimum wages, and we're paying $14 for a block of cheese. It doesn't add up."
"The major parties won't stand up to the supermarket giants who donate to their campaigns. I'll fight to bring down grocery costs by breaking up the supermarket duopoly, increasing competition in the market, and cracking down on price gouging."
The policy also included a commitment to a reduction in food wastage by scrapping aesthetic standards for produce, ensuring farmers received fair prices for their produce, and increasing support for local food enterprises such as Baw Baw Food Relief, Grow Lightly in Korumburra and the Wonthaggi Food Collective.
"I absolutely applaud and support the good people here at Baw Baw Food Relief that are working so hard to provide for our community, but they shouldn't have to," she said.
"The responsibility should not rest on the shoulders of our wonderful volunteers. Our politicians need to do better to address the cost-of-living crisis."
Speaking on energy prices, Ms Leonard criticised the government's "$250 energy rebate Band-aid" and called for long-term solutions.
"We need to invest in our future and provide long-term savings for our community," she said. "My policy will ensure every home, school and business has access to savings available from solar and batteries."
By increasing investment in solar panels, community batteries and microgrids, she said electricity prices would be reduced while also providing protection against power outages.
Ms Leonard reiterated her commitment to addressing the housing crisis through increasing supply within town boundaries in Monash, and boosting rental availability.
If elected, Ms Leonard said she would work with both sides of politics to follow through with her cost-of-living policy.
"As an independent, I can work with either side of politics to make sure we get results in Monash," Ms Leonard said. "Our regional and rural electorate has been ignored for decades by the major parties, we can't trust them to get us back on track. As an independent I'll fight for real results in our community."