After a meeting today with major supermarkets, Competition Minister Craig Emerson announced that the measure – an election promise that was aimed at keeping grocery prices low – would not proceed, The Australian reported.
“Upon close examination of the data requirements for reliable price information, I have formed the view that it is not feasible to generate that information in a timely manner, “ Dr Emerson said.
The scheme had been due to be up and running next week.
The dumping of Grocery Choice comes after the Government last year abandoned FuelWatch after it was defeated in the Senate.
Mr Rudd campaigned heavily prior to the election on easing the cost-of-living pressures on working families and increasing competition in the petrol and grocery sectors.
Both FuelWatch and Grocery Choice were criticised for not putting downward pressure on prices.
Earlier this month it emerged that the consumer advocate Choice would be forced to go it alone on the website as the major supermarket chains continued to drag their feet over supplying price data.
Choice took over the running of the website from the Rudd Government, which launched it after campaigning on easing cost-of-living pressures before the election.
The $13 million site, which originally launched last August, was heavily criticised for displaying information that was too general and outdated to be useful.
Source : www.news.com.au