'Dodgy' supermarkets in crosshairs with $30m boost to get Aussies a better deal

After the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) accused grocery giants Coles and Woolworths of deceiving customers and breaking the law, last week, the government said it would give the watchdog $30 million to conduct more investigations in the retail sector.

"Today we are announcing a crackdown on dodgy supermarket practices," Mr Albanese said.

"We don't want to see ordinary Australians, families and pensioners being taken for a ride by the supermarkets, and we're taking steps to make sure they get a fair go at the checkout."

He said the funding would increase the ACCC's ability to monitor retailers' behaviour and investigate pricing practices where there were concerns about online stores and supermarkets falsely justifying higher prices.

To further support consumers, Treasurer Jim Chalmers was planning to work with states and territories through the Council on Federal Financial Relations to bring reforms in supermarket planning and zoning regulations.

The government said reforms would boost competition in the supermarket sector by releasing more sites for new businesses.

This was because current frameworks with land use restrictions were believed to be blocking competition by "pushing up prices" and hindering businesses form entering and expanding.

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"We're taking decisive action to help Australians get fairer prices at the supermarket checkout, in stores and online," Treasurer Jim Chalmers said.

"More funding for the ACCC will help to make pricing fair, boost competition and make sure that there are significant consequences for supermarkets who do the wrong thing."

The next phase of the ACCC supermarkets inquiry will see the regulator conduct public hearings with the sector later this year.