‘We will move on’: Woolworths boss says they will not appeal impending Dan Murphy’s decision

WOOLWORTHS will not appeal the NT Director of Liquor Licensing decision next Sunday if they lose an application to build a Dan Murphy’s in Darwin, says its chief executive

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THE chief executive of Woolworths says the supermarket giant will not appeal the NT Director of Liquor Licensing decision next Sunday if they lose an application to build Australia’s largest Dan Murphy’s in Darwin.

The NT Government introduced special legislation last month that empowered the Director of Liquor Licensing to make the final decision on the Dan Murphy’s megastore by December 20.

Wooloworths CEO Brad Banducci. Picture: John Feder

Woolworths chief executive Brad Banducci has been under increasing pressure to drop the plans for a Dan Murphy’s superstore in Darwin, with Indigenous groups saying the store is still too close to vulnerable communities.

Mr Banducci told AFR Weekend the issue had become “difficult to navigate”.

“We are committed to doing the right thing,” he said.

“The Endeavour Group operates 16 BWS stores in NT and we are the most responsible operator of liquor retail in the NT.

“We’re looking at moving the BWS licence to a better site than it was before … and turning it into a Dan Murphy’s, which will tilt it to premium wine, which is not the product that is causing a lot of problems.

“We have committed to what products we sell, what products to put under lock and key, how we do the whole management of the site.”

Mr Banducci said Woolworths would not appeal to the Director of Liquor Licensing decision if it lost the application.

“If it doesn’t go our way that’s fine, we will move on. If it does go our way, we will lean in and try to lift responsible retail,” he told AFR Weekend.

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It comes after more than two dozen Indigenous groups have urged Woolworths in an open letter not to build a large bottle shop in Darwin, saying it “threatens” their community.

The letter claims Woolworths Group failed to speak with community leaders over the proposed site and did not consult with the community.

However, Endeavour Group, who owns Dan Murphy’s, says they’ve consulted with Aboriginal groups for five years over the project and have not come up against opposition.

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Originally published as ‘We will move on’: Woolworths boss says they will not appeal impending Dan Murphy’s decision