Coles to be anchor tenant at new Amaroo Group Centre

HiddenDragon said :

Some might say that things have only gotten worse in the meantime, but I think there have been small signs of hope, including some responsiveness to a greater consumer demand for Australian produce (on food safety and nationalism grounds).

And carbon ‘miles’. That’s the important one for me, along with food safety. Australian, for me, comes after those. (Of cause buying local in Australia means it is Australian! [:)])

There is good reason for concern about the market power and practices of the big supermarket chains, as discussed in this Four Corners, from six years ago:

http://www.abc.net.au/4corners/content/2008/s2348906.htm

Some might say that things have only gotten worse in the meantime, but I think there have been small signs of hope, including some responsiveness to a greater consumer demand for Australian produce (on food safety and nationalism grounds).

Beyond that, it’s probably worth remembering that some people (probably increasing numbers) really don’t have much choice about their grocery shopping in terms of what they can afford – and for such folk, the relatively cheap “own brand” offerings of the major supermarket chains are essential to making ends meet each week.

“Magnate Mart?”

I’ll have two Ginas, a couple of Andrews and, yeah, throw in half a dozen Clives, too, they seem to be in season at the moment.

A shame they still don’t make ’em like those Christophers and Alans all those years ago.

Steven Bailey said :

I’m sorry I don’t have the time to detail for you the individual policies of every political entity in Australia. Perhaps it would be eisier if you found me an example of a politician, outside of the two majors, that campaigned on a policy that supports a complete market dominance in Australia’s food industries.

You may, or may not, have seen family businesses destroyed, and farmers in tears because of the corporate depravity sanctioned by the two major parties (and that’s okay), but I have.

Steven, lets cut the emotive language and debate this with facts. I am not arguing for the duopoly. I am simply asking that when you make claims, you don’t embellish them so that it seems you have more direct support than you actually do. It doesn’t do your credibility any favours when you make broad claims which are simply not true.

I am not saying that those minor parties have policies that directly advocate FOR the duopoly. I would even argue that the 2 majors policies are not DIRECTLY for the duopoly, though the continuance of the status quo is certainly what results from their policies.

All I am saying is that I would argue that many minor parties in the Australian politicval landscape do not have a policy on this matter, one way or the other and therefore it is not reasonable for you to claim that they actually support your viewpoint.

Not opposing something doesn’t mean you support it.

Ghettosmurf87 said :

Steven Bailey said :

My arguments against Coles and Woolworths is supported by countless entities throughout Australia including The Council of Small Business of Australia, every independent politician I know, and every small political party in Australia.

Well of course the Small Business Council is going to support Small Business rather than the corporate multi-nationals. That’s about as obvious as saying that the Cancer Council is against smoking or that the Mineral Council supports the mining industry.

How many independent politicians do you know then Steven? Are they all really vehemently against Coles and Woolies, or do they just think it would be nice if there were some other smaller retailers around as well?

And “Every small political party in Australia” supports your argument? Are you sure of that? Are you telling me that the Liberal Democratic Party, the Shooters and Fishers Party, the Australian First Nations Political Party, Australian Christians, Rise Up Australia, the Voluntary Euthanasia Party, Wikileaks, Carers Alliance, Australian Sports Party, Australian Motoring Enthusiasts Party, and the list goes on and on….ALL support your argument?

Whether or not the duopoly is good or bad is a debate to be had. But lets actually debate it using facts, rather than making exaggerated claims which I doubt you can substantiate.

You make some good points. I respond with respect to those points.

Your first point is a good one. Coles and Woolworths are to small business what cancer is to humans, so thanks for making that comparison.

The Australian Sex Party, the Greens, Nick Xenophon, Katter, John madigan, Andrew Wilkie, I could go on. They all campaign against the duopoly of Coles and Woolworths.

I’m sorry I don’t have the time to detail for you the individual policies of every political entity in Australia. Perhaps it would be eisier if you found me an example of a politician, outside of the two majors, that campaigned on a policy that supports a complete market dominance in Australia’s food industries.

The point is that Coles and Woolworths is a duopoly that, whilst limiting our access to healthy Australian grown food, erodes the hearts of Australian communities and small businesses. And with the support of other Australian corporations, including the two main political parties, Coles and Woolworths act with impunity and precision in their ruthless pursuit of putting profits before people.

You may, or may not, have seen family businesses destroyed, and farmers in tears because of the corporate depravity sanctioned by the two major parties (and that’s okay), but I have.

dungfungus said :

Steven Bailey said :

I’m sorry but this is a long one (as the actress said to the bishop). 🙂

I respect Andrew Barr as a compassionate leader in the ACT. However, when it comes to Coles and Woolworths, my position couldn’t be further from that of the two major parties.

It is enlightening to learn that Australia’s political duopoly (Labor and Liberal) are subservient supporters to the corporate duopoly of Coles and Woolworths.

My arguments against Coles and Woolworths is supported by countless entities throughout Australia including The Council of Small Business of Australia, every independent politician I know, and every small political party in Australia.

I have met so many people who have lost so much to this corporate duopoly as a result of their predatory and unprecedented market power.

Coles and Woolworths are a ruthless duopoly that destroys small business, destroys agriculture, and destroys regional communities. This duopoly is spreading its tentacles into every aspect of our economy, restricting your choice as consumers.

If you think that it’s fair for one duopoly to control 85% of your food, 400 hotels, Dan Murphy’s, BWS, First Choice, Liquor Land, Vintage Cellars, Big W, Kmart, Target, Bunnings, Office Works and Magnate Mart, and more pokie machines than any other consortium in Australia. If you’re happy for that, then keep on voting for the major parties.

Coles and Woolworths are destroying agriculture, corporatising regional Australia, destroying suppliers, destroying small businesses and they are dictating what food you eat, and they are dictating the way you buy petrol.

Do we want to live in a country where people on low incomes are forced to buy groceries from one place just so they can afford petrol? There is no precedent for such a duopoly to exist in a modern developed economy.

Not even in America will you find such market dominance. Roosevelt dismantled Rockefeller’s corporate empire, and all without harming the shareholders. We need heroism in our politicians, but instead we have minionism. When Australia dismantles the duopoly, I will be there.

Andrew, join me and be on the right side of history. 🙂

So I expect you have told your superannuation fund manager to expunge Coles and Woolworths shares from your investment portfolio in protest?

Ha. No, you can’t blame evryday Australians for shopping or profiting from the duopoly. This is a problem that governments need to address, and they are not; they are making it worse.

Steven Bailey said :

My arguments against Coles and Woolworths is supported by countless entities throughout Australia including The Council of Small Business of Australia, every independent politician I know, and every small political party in Australia.

Well of course the Small Business Council is going to support Small Business rather than the corporate multi-nationals. That’s about as obvious as saying that the Cancer Council is against smoking or that the Mineral Council supports the mining industry.

How many independent politicians do you know then Steven? Are they all really vehemently against Coles and Woolies, or do they just think it would be nice if there were some other smaller retailers around as well?

And “Every small political party in Australia” supports your argument? Are you sure of that? Are you telling me that the Liberal Democratic Party, the Shooters and Fishers Party, the Australian First Nations Political Party, Australian Christians, Rise Up Australia, the Voluntary Euthanasia Party, Wikileaks, Carers Alliance, Australian Sports Party, Australian Motoring Enthusiasts Party, and the list goes on and on….ALL support your argument?

Whether or not the duopoly is good or bad is a debate to be had. But lets actually debate it using facts, rather than making exaggerated claims which I doubt you can substantiate.

Steven Bailey said :

I’m sorry but this is a long one (as the actress said to the bishop). 🙂

I respect Andrew Barr as a compassionate leader in the ACT. However, when it comes to Coles and Woolworths, my position couldn’t be further from that of the two major parties.

It is enlightening to learn that Australia’s political duopoly (Labor and Liberal) are subservient supporters to the corporate duopoly of Coles and Woolworths.

My arguments against Coles and Woolworths is supported by countless entities throughout Australia including The Council of Small Business of Australia, every independent politician I know, and every small political party in Australia.

I have met so many people who have lost so much to this corporate duopoly as a result of their predatory and unprecedented market power.

Coles and Woolworths are a ruthless duopoly that destroys small business, destroys agriculture, and destroys regional communities. This duopoly is spreading its tentacles into every aspect of our economy, restricting your choice as consumers.

If you think that it’s fair for one duopoly to control 85% of your food, 400 hotels, Dan Murphy’s, BWS, First Choice, Liquor Land, Vintage Cellars, Big W, Kmart, Target, Bunnings, Office Works and Magnate Mart, and more pokie machines than any other consortium in Australia. If you’re happy for that, then keep on voting for the major parties.

Coles and Woolworths are destroying agriculture, corporatising regional Australia, destroying suppliers, destroying small businesses and they are dictating what food you eat, and they are dictating the way you buy petrol.

Do we want to live in a country where people on low incomes are forced to buy groceries from one place just so they can afford petrol? There is no precedent for such a duopoly to exist in a modern developed economy.

Not even in America will you find such market dominance. Roosevelt dismantled Rockefeller’s corporate empire, and all without harming the shareholders. We need heroism in our politicians, but instead we have minionism. When Australia dismantles the duopoly, I will be there.

Andrew, join me and be on the right side of history. 🙂

So I expect you have told your superannuation fund manager to expunge Coles and Woolworths shares from your investment portfolio in protest?

I’m sorry but this is a long one (as the actress said to the bishop). 🙂

I respect Andrew Barr as a compassionate leader in the ACT. However, when it comes to Coles and Woolworths, my position couldn’t be further from that of the two major parties.

It is enlightening to learn that Australia’s political duopoly (Labor and Liberal) are subservient supporters to the corporate duopoly of Coles and Woolworths.

My arguments against Coles and Woolworths is supported by countless entities throughout Australia including The Council of Small Business of Australia, every independent politician I know, and every small political party in Australia.

I have met so many people who have lost so much to this corporate duopoly as a result of their predatory and unprecedented market power.

Coles and Woolworths are a ruthless duopoly that destroys small business, destroys agriculture, and destroys regional communities. This duopoly is spreading its tentacles into every aspect of our economy, restricting your choice as consumers.

If you think that it’s fair for one duopoly to control 85% of your food, 400 hotels, Dan Murphy’s, BWS, First Choice, Liquor Land, Vintage Cellars, Big W, Kmart, Target, Bunnings, Office Works and Magnate Mart, and more pokie machines than any other consortium in Australia. If you’re happy for that, then keep on voting for the major parties.

Coles and Woolworths are destroying agriculture, corporatising regional Australia, destroying suppliers, destroying small businesses and they are dictating what food you eat, and they are dictating the way you buy petrol.

Do we want to live in a country where people on low incomes are forced to buy groceries from one place just so they can afford petrol? There is no precedent for such a duopoly to exist in a modern developed economy.

Not even in America will you find such market dominance. Roosevelt dismantled Rockefeller’s corporate empire, and all without harming the shareholders. We need heroism in our politicians, but instead we have minionism. When Australia dismantles the duopoly, I will be there.

Andrew, join me and be on the right side of history. 🙂

justin heywood said :

JC said :

If Wollies and Coles insist on self serve checkouts then why the hell don’t they install self serve checkouts for trolleys? Or even better start scan as you go. Seen both work well overseas, wouldn’t be hard to introduce here.

Though I do note the newer Wollies trolleys have the holder for a scan as you go scanner so maybe something is in the pipeline.

Good point. If Aldi can manage it why not Woolies and Coles? There must be hundreds of trolleys in the various lakes around Canberra and dumped elsewhere. The costs are of course just past on to the punters.

These companies do well enough out of Canberra, so why not insist they install a system to make sure they come back?

What does that have to do with self service trolley check-outs?