Aboriginal Communities Are Pushing Back On Woolies’ Plans To Build Liquor Store In Dry Suburbs

The hashtag #BoycottWoolworths is back again. This time, it’s because Dan Murphy’s — owned by the Woolworths group — is trying to build one of Australia’s largest alcohol stores within walking distance of three dry Aboriginal communities in Darwin.

Dry communities are set up to minimise the risk and harm caused by alcohol consumption. The store was already rejected due to public health concerns, as it would undermine the progress the communities have made tackling the high rates of alcohol-related harm they were facing.

However, the corporate giant is pushing through to overturn the decision.

Community groups, including the Foundation of Alcohol Research and Education (FARE), have written an open letter seeking to pressure shareholders meeting on Thursday to abandon their plans. The letter asks that they “put aside the ill-considered and harmful plan”.

#NAIDOC2020 encourages us to listen to the knowledge & lived experiences of Aboriginal communities.

In that spirit, let’s listen to what Helen Fejo-Frith, a Bagot Community Elder, has to say about plans to build a giant Dan Murphy’s in Darwin- and ask Woolies to hear her message pic.twitter.com/Dwt5XBDARG

— FARE (@FAREAustralia) November 11, 2020

"The absolute hypocrisy of Woolworths taking this action, while being a partner of NAIDOC Week, is almost unbelievable." says John Paterson from @AMSANTaus about Woolworths plan to build a Dan Murphy's close to three dry communities #shamewoolies https://t.co/dwKo3j3X5D

— Alcohol Programs Team, Cancer Council WA (@AlcoholPolicyWA) November 12, 2020

@woolworths will build an alcohol superstore, Dan Murphy’s, amongst dry Aboriginal communities in Darwin – and we need to stop them. Pls sign the petition below:#BoycottWoolworths #NAIDOCWeek2020 #Woolworthshttps://t.co/uiuJ5rev6F pic.twitter.com/ZjjTGKppkH

— Thomas Mayor (@tommayor11) November 11, 2020

Many people are also pointing out the hypocrisy of Woolworths, which announced their transition to 100% renewables by 2025.

For all its claims of sustainability and community care, Woolworths Group via @danmurphys is failing to live up to its values. change this, do right https://t.co/b0YAfTyxPr

— Dani Sirotic (@DaniSirotic) November 12, 2020

Hey @woolworths nice work on committing to renewables, really poor work on trying to introduce alcohol to dry communities against the wishes of the Elders and also poor work on partnering with #newscorpse.

overall I would say you aren't kicking goals. https://t.co/rjuzNAL5dp

— the duck overlord (@majesticduxk) November 12, 2020

You can sign the petition to support community efforts to keep the alcohol store out, here.