Government grocery stores could cut family bills by 30 per cent
The Green Institute proposes government-owned supermarkets to slash grocery costs and save a family of four about $3,134 annually.
The Greens' research arm wants the federal government to forcibly acquire hundreds of Coles and Woolworths stores. Stores would run at heavily discounted prices.
The plan would cut grocery bills by 30 per cent. Acquiring 200 stores and building more than 400 new distribution centres would cost about $25.1 billion over five years.
A YouGov survey found 79 per cent of Australians say groceries are harder to afford than a year ago. Over one-third skip meals because of costs.
Recent analysis shows prices jumped 7 per cent across major supermarket chains between May and June. An Institute of Public Affairs economist called the idea "completely ridiculous".
But 84 per cent of survey respondents, including more than half of One Nation voters, said they would support publicly owned supermarkets.
- 30 per cent
- Grocery bill reduction
- 3,134 dollars
- Annual savings per family of four
- 25.1 billion dollars
- Five-year acquisition cost
- 84 per cent
- Public support in survey
Why it mattersMost Australian families struggle with grocery costs. A government alternative could materially reduce food bills and food insecurity.
AustraliaIf adopted, Australian households could save hundreds of dollars monthly on groceries, easing cost-of-living pressure across the country.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 1 h ago
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