2026-05-14
Coles being found to have deliberately misled customers with fake discounts shows again that Australia needs powers to break up the supermarket duopoly and an economy-wide ban on price-gouging, the Greens say.
The Federal Court today found Coles misled customers with fake discounts, in a case brought by the ACCC.
“Coles and Woolworths treat customers with contempt because they have an iron grip on this country’s grocery sector,” Greens Economic Justice spokesperson Senator Nick McKim said.
“As the Greens-led Senate inquiry found, Australia needs divestiture powers to forcibly break up the supermarket duopoly, as well as other oligopolies.”
“We also need economy-wide price gouging laws, particularly during a cost of living crisis.”
“The major parties are in thrall to the big corporations because of their political donations. The Greens are not. We need divestiture and price gouging laws now.”
“The Greens have legislation already drafted and ready to go - the only thing we need is for a bit of courage from the Labor and Liberal parties.”