The committee leading the Queensland supermarket price inquiry formally requested Coles chief executive Leah Weckert to appear only last Tuesday.
As we previously reported, the state's supermarket inquiry runs again in Brisbane today and tomorrow, with the big chains fronting to answer (or not answer) questions from state MPs.
Coles is the first taxi to drop from the range. But the initial back-and-forth has largely focused on when the committee formally asked Weckert to appear.
Coles chief executive Leah Weckert is not giving evidence to the Queensland supermarket price inquiry.Credit: Oscar Colman
Coles' head of public affairs, Adam Fitzgibbons, told the inquiry this morning that the committee made its “first request for the chief executive” to appear last Tuesday, when it also sought to extend the hearing of 'one hour to four hours.
“And given that it would have been three business days' notice, we couldn't accommodate that,” Fitzgibbons said.
Wecker was required at a council meeting this morning.
The supermarket's head of operations and sustainability, Matt Swindells, along with head of legal and safety David Brewster, are giving evidence via video link.
Bundaberg MP Tom Smith, who chairs the Queensland inquiry, noted Weckert appeared before a recent federal senate inquiry.
Senior Woolworths staff, but not the chief executive, have the afternoon slot, with representatives from Aldi, Metcash (IGA) and Foodworks due to give evidence tomorrow.
