04 Jul 2024 --- Supermarket chains could be broken up to stop the leading players from abusing their market share powers, in new proposals unveiled by the coalition opposition party in Australia. The plans have been labeled a “shambles” by the incumbent government.Peter Dutton, federal opposition leader, has announced plans to create “divestiture powers” to end what the Coalition calls a supermarket duopoly. It says the dominance of the main two supermarkets in the country has led to rising consumer costs and an unfair deal for farmers.“We know that internationally there are examples of divestiture, which means that where there’s an abuse of market share or that power, then there’s a consequence to pay for that — and we have taken a decision as a Coalition to support a regime that allows for divestiture,” says Dutton, who announced the proposals alongside Nationals leader David Littleproud and shadow treasurer Angus Taylor at a press conference in Canberra.