NEWSAGENTS

That this House deplores the fact that newsagents remain under unacceptable pressures as a result of monopolistic practices by wholesalers and publishers resulting in the continued imposition of unjustified carriage charge increases and reduced margins, which is leading to an escalating number of business failures and reductions in the level of service to the public; is further disappointed that, despite the optimistic assurances by the then Minister for Corporate Affairs, who believes that voluntary solutions could be achieved, publishers have refused to participate in intra-industry discussions; is appalled that both the publishers and wholesalers have instead used the time allotted for 'conciliation' by the Director General of Fair Trading to further disadvantage the retailers; and calls upon the President of the Board of Trade and the Minister for Corporate Affairs to refer this matter forthwith to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission in order to bring about a structure which will empower newsagents to negotiate terms and conditions on a normal commercial basis.