Greens think tank urges government-run supermarkets to redirect chain profits to hungry children

Research from the Green Institute calculated that Coles and Woolworths generated $5.3 billion in profit for the 2025/26 financial year, based on supermarket division earnings before interest and tax. According to the institute, feeding every child living in poverty—estimated between 757,000 and one million—would require $2.5 billion to $3.3 billion annually, assuming an average weekly cost of $60. A poll commissioned by the institute indicated that one in five parents had sent a child to school without enough food in the previous twelve months.

The think tank proposes a government-owned supermarket network that would offer essentials such as eggs, milk, fruit, vegetables, meat and cheese at roughly two-thirds of market prices, projecting a $60 weekly saving for a typical four-person household. The model forecasts a $25.1 billion cost over five years and calls for the Commonwealth to acquire 200 existing stores while opening more than 400 new outlets. Greens leader David Shoebridge said the proposal merits public discussion.