While everyone in the Australian food manufacturing industry is aware of the bullying behaviour of the major supermarkets, it seems they are also now impacting Australian TV networks, which are declining to screen ads criticising Coles and Woolworths’ stake in pokie machines, but refusing to say why.
The advertisement, which point out that Coles and Woolworths own “more dangerous pokie machines than the five largest Las Vegas casinos,” shows a woman unwittingly spending excess money at the supermarket checkout, which has been changed to look like one of the gaming machines.
It also targets the “Fresh Food People,” slogan, changing it to “The Pokies People,” and also uses the Woolworths Everyday Rewards logo, which it launches today.
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The advertisement, created by GetUp! is not being screened by the major TV networks in Australia, but none of the stations have explained why.
A spokesperson from the advocacy organisation told Mumbrella they have not been given a reason why they won’t show the ad.
Food Magazine has contacted Channels 7, 9 and 10 this morning, but nobody was able to provide any answers.
As the Senate Inquiry into the impact of Coles and Woolworths’ anti-competitive behaviour is having on the food industry struggles to get witnesses to comment, for fear of being punished, it seems the major supermarkets are throwing their weight around in an increasing number of sectors.
Calls to Coles and Woolworths have not been returned.
The far-reaching impact of Coles and Woolworths has long been documented, and many are highly critical of the stake they have in various sectors.
The Senate Inquiry is slowly gaining some information about the issue, but most food companies are still too afraid to comment on the actions of the supermarkets.
Do we need a Royal Commission into the power of the major supermarkets in Australia?