Category: Timeline Stories

Community groups disappointed in decision but vow to keep fighting alcohol megastore Read more

“The Darwin Dan Murphy’s saga now threatens to become Woolworths’ version of Rio Tinto’s Juukan Gorge scandal.” “Woolworths is facing scrutiny at shareholder meetings next week about plans to open a big-box Dan Murphy’s liquor shop close to vulnerable Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory.” Read the article

45 organisations and community leaders signed an impassioned open letter to Woolworths Chairperson Gordon Cairns. This letter was published as a full-page advertisement in the Australian Financial Review (AFR). The Bagot Community, members of the public, and organisations including the Northern Territory Council of Social Service (NTCOSS), Danila Dilba Health Service, and Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance NT (AMSANT) have all been loud and clear in their demand: “Abandon your plans to build a Dan Murphy’s in Darwin.” View the open letter

“Woolies we don’t want your megastore here in Darwin” – Samuel Bush-Blanasi (Chairman, Northern Land Council) “You haven’t consulted with the community” – John Paterson (CEO, Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory)

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The announcement that a Dan Murphy’s outlet would relocate to an alternate site fails to alleviate the concerns of Aboriginal community health advocates.

Supermarket giant Woolworths faced increasing pressure from Darwin-based health and Indigenous community groups to reconsider a controversial plan to open one of its biggest Dan Murphy’s liquor outlets in the city. Read more

Moves by the NT Government to weaken its alcohol policy reforms were condemned by leading NT Aboriginal, health and social groups and community members, including Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory (AMSANT), the NT Council of Social Service, FARE, and Association of Alcohol and other Drug Agencies Northern Territory (AADANT). Read more

The NT Government introduced the Liquor Further Amendment Bill 2020, giving power to the Director of Liquor Licensing to decide on the Woolworths’ Dan Murphy’s application within 30 days. Under the legislation, the Director of Liquor Licensing has discretion to make the decision without following the laws of natural justice or considering the previous decisions by the Liquor Commission or NTCAT. Woolworths can propose an alternative location without submitting a new application [s334 (4) (a)] and without seeking the views of the community at the new location. The current NTCAT proceedings would be terminated and the Director’s decision would not be reviewable by NTCAT. The legislation was considered urgently by the NT Legislative Assembly and passed on 12 November. Read more

Having sought a number of delays to the NTCAT proceedings, Woolworths was granted a further delay and the full hearing was adjourned to early 2021.