Retailer and Business Groups Push Back Against Dutton’s Call for Woolworths Boycott

Retailer and business groups have responded to Opposition Leader Peter Dutton’s call to boycott Woolworths over its decision to stop stocking Australia Day-themed merchandise. They argue that Dutton should not dictate what corporations should sell.

The Australian Retailers Association CEO, Paul Zahra, and the head of the Business Council of Australia, Bran Black, support the supermarkets’ decision, stating that what retailers sell is determined by historic sales information and their customers’ expectations. They believe that corporations today are increasingly engaged in societal issues, reflecting their values and the expectations of their stakeholders.

On the other hand, Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce has supported Dutton’s criticisms and accused Woolworths executives of involving themselves in politics. Joyce emphasized that Woolworths’ primary focus should be reducing prices and helping households with the cost of living, rather than engaging in social issues.

In response to Dutton’s call for a boycott, Aldi, a multinational discount supermarket chain, has confirmed that it will also stop selling Australia Day-themed merchandise. The move comes after Woolworths faced criticism for its decision.

Moving beyond the boycott issue, the NSW Farmers Association has accused the Albanese government of failing to protect primary producers and households from inflated supermarket prices. They argue that the government’s review of the voluntary code of conduct lacks the necessary powers to expose potential price gouging. The association is calling for the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to conduct a pricing inquiry to reveal how much supermarkets pay their fresh produce suppliers.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers, who has the authority to instruct the ACCC, stated that he is discussing with the watchdog about potential further monitoring. However, NSW Farmers President Xavier Martin believes that the government’s proposed inquiry will not provide the necessary pricing information to determine fair pricing for consumers and farmers.