Australian Greens propose state-owned supermarkets to lower food costs

The Australian Greens and its affiliated think tank, the Green Institute, have proposed the establishment of a national network of state-owned supermarkets to reduce grocery costs. The plan suggests the federal government purchase 200 existing Coles and Woolworths stores and open an additional 400 shop-fronts.

According to the Green Institute report, the initiative could reduce the price of essentials such as milk, eggs, meat, and vegetables to approximately two-thirds of current market rates. This could save an average four-person household roughly $60 per week, or $3,134 annually. The program is estimated to cost $25.1 billion over five years, after which the stores would reportedly be self-funded.

Former Greens MP Max Chandler-Mather noted that the cost of the program is roughly half that of a single AUKUS submarine. The proposal draws inspiration from similar pilot programs in New York City. Polling commissioned alongside the report indicates that a majority of Australian voters, including many One Nation supporters, favor the idea of state-owned supermarkets to lower food prices.