Break the Coles and Woolworths duopoly!
While people are struggling to put food on the table, Coles and Woolies have reported staggering profits last year – $1.6 billion and $1.1 billion, respectively.1,2
This practice of price gouging during the cost-of-living crisis is unacceptable. With the looming inquiry into the power of the supermarket duopoly, we have a rare opportunity to break their stronghold – but only if we get it right.3
If there's anything to learn from the experience of New Zealand recently, it's that if the government isn't bold enough to take on corporate greed, the business of passing costs to consumers will just continue.4
It's up to our movement to make sure the Albanese Government sees a strong public support for taking on these two grocery giants.
Will you sign the petition urging the Albanese Government to break the Coles and Woolworths duopoly and stop them from price gouging?
This practice of price gouging during the cost-of-living crisis is unacceptable. With the looming inquiry into the power of the supermarket duopoly, we have a rare opportunity to break their stronghold – but only if we get it right.3
If there's anything to learn from the experience of New Zealand recently, it's that if the government isn't bold enough to take on corporate greed, the business of passing costs to consumers will just continue.4
It's up to our movement to make sure the Albanese Government sees a strong public support for taking on these two grocery giants.
Will you sign the petition urging the Albanese Government to break the Coles and Woolworths duopoly and stop them from price gouging?
The Greens secured cross-party support for an urgent Senate inquiry into the effect of the market duopoly on the food prices of Coles and Woolworths.5
This means the dirty tactics and sky high prices the supermarket giants have been subjecting us to – especially during this cost-of-living crisis – can finally be brought to light.
The first hearings will likely happen in early 2024.
The inquiry will have the power to call witnesses and take evidence, meaning supermarket chiefs will be made to justify their decisions in a public forum.
The inquiry will then make recommendations on the best way for the Albanese Government to curb price gouging by the big supermarket chains and bring down the costs of food and nonalcoholic beverages for shoppers.
Will you join the campaign to put big businesses like Coles and Woolworths to task?
This means the dirty tactics and sky high prices the supermarket giants have been subjecting us to – especially during this cost-of-living crisis – can finally be brought to light.
The first hearings will likely happen in early 2024.
The inquiry will have the power to call witnesses and take evidence, meaning supermarket chiefs will be made to justify their decisions in a public forum.
The inquiry will then make recommendations on the best way for the Albanese Government to curb price gouging by the big supermarket chains and bring down the costs of food and nonalcoholic beverages for shoppers.
Will you join the campaign to put big businesses like Coles and Woolworths to task?
Coles and Woolies command two-thirds of Australia's grocery sector, making it nearly impossible to dodge the duopoly. In communities and regional areas, their control can cover up to 90% of the market.
This lack of competition empowers them to confidently hike prices. They know consumers have limited alternatives and repercussions are rare. We need the Albanese Government to commit going beyond piecemeal changes through this inquiry:
This lack of competition empowers them to confidently hike prices. They know consumers have limited alternatives and repercussions are rare. We need the Albanese Government to commit going beyond piecemeal changes through this inquiry:
- Break the duopoly. We can't expect lower prices at the checkout unless the two supermarkets aren't pressured to deliver the right prices for quality products. And this can only happen if we chip away at their dominance. That's why we need the government to make sure there are policies allowing independent and new grocers to thrive in Australia.
- Code of conduct with teeth. The current code of conduct that we have in place can't protect consumer and retailer rights unless the ACCC is given teeth for price control and penalties.
- Crack down on price gouging. It's essential for the government to actively monitor and regulate pricing practices to prevent exploitative behaviour from businesses. This means not just setting guidelines, but also enforcing and imposing consequences for breaches.
We're in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis. Many are resorting to second jobs just to make ends meet, while corporate profits soar.6
With rents skyrocketing and housing affordability hitting record lows, an increasing number of people are turning to house sharing or facing the grim prospect of homelessness. All while big businesses – from Coles and Woolworths, to Origin Energy and Qantas – are raking in record profits by charging us unusually high prices amid the cost-of-living crisis.7,8
While inflation and the pandemic hit hard across the world, major supermarket chains in Australia consistently outperformed their counterparts in more competitive markets, like the UK, during this period.9
The stakes are high and personal.
It's clear that Australians need immediate relief from the rising costs – and the Albanese Government needs to act boldly and urgently.
With rents skyrocketing and housing affordability hitting record lows, an increasing number of people are turning to house sharing or facing the grim prospect of homelessness. All while big businesses – from Coles and Woolworths, to Origin Energy and Qantas – are raking in record profits by charging us unusually high prices amid the cost-of-living crisis.7,8
While inflation and the pandemic hit hard across the world, major supermarket chains in Australia consistently outperformed their counterparts in more competitive markets, like the UK, during this period.9
The stakes are high and personal.
It's clear that Australians need immediate relief from the rising costs – and the Albanese Government needs to act boldly and urgently.
[1] Annual profit is more than $1bn for Woolworths and Coles. How do they set prices and can they justify rises? The Guardian, 13 January 2024.
[2] Here's how Australian supermarkets are making millions during the cost of living crisis, SBS News, 23 August 2023.
[3] NZ grocery prices are chronically high, but a new regulator is trying to deal with the problem, ABC News, 12 August 2023.
[4] Coles and Woolworths set to face a Senate inquiry. NZ has been down this road before, ABC News, 28 December 2023.
[5] Greens move to establish Senate inquiry into allegations of price-gouging by Coles and Woolworths, ABC News, 3 December 2024.
[6] Cost of living affecting social cohesion in Australia according to report, SBS News, 15 November 2023.
[7] See References 1
[8] Profits again outstrip wages amid accusations 'corporate Australia is driving inflation', ABC News, 27 February 2023.
[9] See Reference 4.
[2] Here's how Australian supermarkets are making millions during the cost of living crisis, SBS News, 23 August 2023.
[3] NZ grocery prices are chronically high, but a new regulator is trying to deal with the problem, ABC News, 12 August 2023.
[4] Coles and Woolworths set to face a Senate inquiry. NZ has been down this road before, ABC News, 28 December 2023.
[5] Greens move to establish Senate inquiry into allegations of price-gouging by Coles and Woolworths, ABC News, 3 December 2024.
[6] Cost of living affecting social cohesion in Australia according to report, SBS News, 15 November 2023.
[7] See References 1
[8] Profits again outstrip wages amid accusations 'corporate Australia is driving inflation', ABC News, 27 February 2023.
[9] See Reference 4.
SIGN THE PETITION!
Dear Prime Minister,
Everyday people are tired of governments prioritising private companies. The government must stop allowing corporations to rake-in profits and avoid accountability for their actions. You must help communities through this cost-of-living crisis by ensuring that our needs are prioritised over corporate greed.
In taking action, I agree to GetUp's Privacy Policy.