Independent Launceston-based Senator Tammy Tyrrell says she’s refusing to take no for an answer as she pressures German supermarket giant Aldi to set up shop in Tasmania.
Despite being accused of grandstanding for votes, “flogging a dead horse issue” Ms Tyrrell has started a petition, saying something needs to be done to break the stranglehold of the two major chains – Coles and Woolworths.
“Coles are stacking their decks in Tassie and further highlighting the state’s lack of supermarket competition,” Ms Tyrrell said in a media statement.
“Tasmania has the highest density of Coles stores of any state and territory, with the average Coles store in Tasmania 2.5km from another Coles store.
“Coles are pretty much stacking their stores on top of each other in Tassie, which means they’re competing with themselves. They’d rather do this than allow another supermarket to take prime space and compete against them. That’s the kind of behaviour the big supermarkets engage in to stay as the top dogs and keep their prices high.
“Experts say that when ALDI comes to a town, prices at Coles and Woolies go down. Cost of living pressures are high and Tassie needs better grocery prices more than ever.
“People are struggling to afford basic everyday groceries.
“Aldi coming to Tassie will help to bring grocery prices down. Once I get enough signatures on the petition, I’ll be writing to Aldi and ask them to explain why we can’t have what every other state has.
“I’m not taking no for an answer.”
