Wholesalers, growers and tenants will have the opportunity to own a stake in the future of the Melbourne Market under a new commitment announced today by the Victorian Liberals and Nationals.
The Victorian State Government owns and operates the Melbourne Wholesale Fruit and Vegetable Market at Epping, a distribution hub for fresh produce supplied to supermarkets, greengrocers, food services businesses and export markets.
State ownership is no longer meeting the needs of market participants and ownership of the market will be transferred to industry, consistent with the successful transitions in other states including Queensland and Western Australia.
This transition will provide industry participants the opportunity to secure an ownership stake in the market and will include public interest safeguards to ensure transparent and independently reviewable rents, fees and service charges, competition protections and minimum service standards.
Divesting ownership of the Melbourne Wholesale Fruit and Vegetable Market and winding-up the Melbourne Market Authority (MMA) will reduce Victoria’s net debt by $578 million.
The commitment forms part of the Liberals and Nationals responsible and disciplined plan to lower costs and deliver a cash surplus by 2032, including by freezing hiring on back-office bureaucrats, capping excessive public sector executive pay and winding-up Labor’s failed venture capital firm, Breakthrough Victoria. It brings total savings announced to more than $24.5 billion.
Leader of the Opposition and Shadow Treasurer, Jess Wilson, said: “Victoria’s agriculture sector can run a fruit and veg market better than the government can.
“Victorians need a government focused on the essentials, not one playing market landlord and venture capitalist with taxpayer money.
“Only my Liberal and Nationals team has a plan to fix the budget, lower costs and deliver a government that works.”
Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Emma Kealy, said: “Labor has treated the Melbourne Market as a cash cow, imposing astronomical rent increases that are forcing wholesalers to question whether they can afford to stay, putting the future of the entire market at risk.
“Our plan puts the market back in the hands of the people who know it best, giving growers, wholesalers and other industry participants a real stake in its future and the opportunity to invest in its long-term success.”
Premier Fresh Australia Executive General Manager, Joe Manariti, said: “This proposal is an exciting opportunity for the Melbourne Markets future, industry stakeholders and consumers.
“Premier welcomes policy initiatives that ensure a long-term sustainable future for the Melbourne Markets and the growers and consumers who benefit from it.
“Any future ownership and operating model should deliver a sustainable, safe, efficient, and competitive marketplace, maintaining the highest level of independent governance and operating standards to support growth and investment and protect the interests of the businesses and communities that rely on it.”