Greens' plan to nationalise supermarkets rejected by grocery body

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 9 Oct, 05:24 · Archive

Australia's grocery industry body has rejected a Greens proposal to nationalise more than 200 Coles and Woolworths stores for $25bn.

The Greens Institute, a separate entity from the Greens party, has proposed a $25bn plan to nationalise more than 200 Coles and Woolworths stores. The proposal takes inspiration from New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani's 'Fair Go Grovers' initiative for publicly owned supermarkets.

Greens leader David Shoebridge expressed support for the proposal's direction. He argued that breaking up the supermarket duopoly would reduce prices by removing profit-driven motives and 'expensive middle management'. Shoebridge said the proposal addressed widespread public anger over high grocery prices and uncompetitive practices by the two major chains.

However, Colm Maguire, chief executive of the Australian Food and Grocery Council, rejected the plan. While acknowledging that cost-of-living pressures affect consumers, he stated that Australia needs 'practical and realistic solutions' rather than the proposed nationalisation scheme.

How it is being reported

• Peak grocery body rejects Greens’ $25bn plan to nationalise Coles, Woolies in Mamdani-style moveA $25bn plan by the Greens to nationalise hundreds of Coles and Woolworths stores in a Zohran Mamdani-style move has drawn a fierce rebuttal.Perth Now · 9 Oct, 04:53
• Peak grocery body rejects Greens’ $25bn plan to nationalise Coles, Woolies in Mamdani-style moveA $25bn plan by the Greens to nationalise hundreds of Coles and Woolworths stores in a Zohran Mamdani-style move has drawn a fierce rebuttal.The West Australian · 9 Oct, 04:53

In this story: Greens · Coles · Woolworths · David Shoebridge · Max Chandler-Mather · Zohran Mamdani · Colm Maguire · Australia

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