A proposal to bring more than 200 Coles and Woolworths supermarkets under public ownership has been advanced by former Greens MP Max Chandler-Mather. The plan, valued at approximately $25 billion, aims to establish hundreds of government-operated grocery stores across Australia.
Chandler-Mather, who currently leads the Greens Institute, draws inspiration from the publicly owned grocery initiatives championed by New York mayor Zohran Mamdani. The strategy involves utilizing new forced divestiture legislation to seize control of major supermarket sites and three key distribution centers.
Proponents argue that the move toward a publicly owned supermarket chain would help alleviate rising grocery prices for consumers.
I’ll believe it when I see a single store open. This is pure fantasy politics.
Interesting idea, but how would they manage supply chains without the private sector’s drive for profit?
Wait, forced divestiture? That sounds like outright confiscation. Does that not violate property rights?
Finally, someone proposing real action against the duopoly. Our groceries are too expensive!
Is $25 billion realistic? I doubt the taxpayer will foot that bill for failed public enterprises.
This feels like a radical solution for prices, but government-run supermarkets sound inefficient to me.