Australian Greens propose $25bn plan to nationalise supermarket chains
Former Greens MP Max Chandler-Mather has unveiled a plan to nationalise more than 200 Coles and Woolworths stores and build a government-run grocery network, inspired by New York mayor Zohran Mamdani's public supermarket initiative.
The head of the Greens Institute, former Australian Greens MP Max Chandler-Mather, has put forward a $25.1bn proposal to nationalise more than 200 Coles and Woolworths supermarkets and three distribution centres, using new forced divestiture laws. The plan draws direct inspiration from New York mayor Zohran Mamdani's push for publicly owned grocery stores.
Under the proposal, the federal government would also fund 424 new supermarkets, branded "Fair Go Grocers", along with 10 additional distribution centres, together covering roughly 20% of the current market held by commercial supermarket operators. Chandler-Mather estimates the scheme could cut average grocery bills by up to 22%, saving a four-person household about $60 a week, with especially deep discounts on staples such as fruit, vegetables, bread, milk and meat.
A statutory authority would be created to set prices monthly and establish minimum wholesale rates for suppliers, with membership drawn from supermarket operations, nutrition science and farming experts. Government funding would cover capital costs such as land, construction and acquisitions, with stores prioritised for areas of greatest need.
The plan carries an initial five-year price tag of $25.1bn, after which Chandler-Mather says the network would become self-sustaining without further public funding. For context, the federal government currently spends about $24bn annually on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.
Chandler-Mather accused the Labor government of allowing Coles and Woolworths to raise prices for profit while families skip meals and children go to school hungry. A similar model is being pursued by the New Zealand Greens, who have proposed nationalising 120 supermarkets under a new public chain called KiwiMark.
Polling commissioned by the Greens Institute found 84% public support for trialling publicly owned supermarkets in Australia. New Greens leader David Shoebridge has backed the proposal, arguing the party should focus on tangible improvements to people's material conditions. Australia's competition watchdog has previously taken action against both chains over misleading discount claims, and a report last year ranked them among the most profitable supermarket operators in the world.
