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Row over minister's 'savings tips' for shoppers

Date Published : Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Australia's treasurer Wayne Swan has advised grocery shoppers looking to save some dollars for their bank account or credit card to hunt for bargains, compare prices and buy in bulk, according to reports.

News.com.au states the minister and Labor MP for the Brisbane seat of Lilley published the money-saving tips on his website as food prices increase across Australia and the wider world.

His other recommendations include asking store managers to match the prices of their competitors, checking dockets to ensure the advertised price matches the actual amount charged and shopping during quiet periods, as this means consumers feel less rushed and therefore have more time to compare goods.

However, the site says, some opposition politicians and industry figures have criticized the advice.

Scott Driscoll, the executive director of the Australian Retailers Association - which represents around 5,000 businesses working in the country's $292 billion retail sector - said Mr Swan had "insulted shoppers' intelligence", it adds.

Deputy opposition leader Julie Bishop said: "If that is the government's answer to the challenge of keeping grocery prices down, then it's patronising in the extreme."

Mr Swan responded by calling the opposition "terminally out of touch", adding that he issued the tips because he recognises "a lot of people have trouble paying the bills".

A recent report by the Canberra-based Centre for International Economics said domestic food prices are likely to stay at higher levels because the majority of Australia's agricultural output is exported overseas, the Age stated.

According to the Financial Times, global food prices have increased by approximately 60 per cent over the past year.

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