Dan Murphy’s objectors write to Woolies board warning of ‘reputational risk’

CAMPAIGNERS against Darwin’s proposed new Dan Murphy’s store have written to Woolworths directors urging them to reconsider the plan in light of the ‘reputational risk’ of proceeding with the development

Anti-Dan Murphy’s campaigners have written to Woolworths directors urging them to reconsider the plan in light of the ‘reputational risk’ of building an outlet in Darwin.

CAMPAIGNERS against Darwin’s proposed new Dan Murphy’s store have written to Woolworths directors urging them to reconsider the plan in light of the “reputational risk” of proceeding with the development.

Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education chairman Andrew Fairley and chief executive Caterina Giorgi wrote to the directors of the supermarket giant — which ultimately owns the booze barn — saying they should scrap the project based on its potential to harm local Aboriginal communities.

• Dan Murphy’s future still ‘up in the air’ despite legislation designed to smooth the way

The Dan Murphy’s proposal was knocked back by the Liquor Commission in September last year, a decision that remains under appeal before the Supreme Court.

In the letter, FARE, a Woolworths’ shareholder, advises that the planned bottle-o could damage the company’s reputation through the commission’s finding that it would “lead to a significant increase in the level of alcohol related harms” in the community.

“In light of the (Liquor Commission) decision, FARE’s position is that it is reasonably foreseeable that to continue to pursue the proposed development will carry with it significant reputational risk to Woolworths,” Mr Fairley and Ms Giorgi wrote.

“As such, FARE considers that your duty of care and diligence requires that you take steps to properly inform yourself about the nature of this risk, its significance, how it may emerge and how it may be mitigated if it does emerge.”

OTHER TOP STORIES

Ex-NT politicians’s son faces assault charge

NT resorts, casinos hit hard by coronavirus crisis as 800 workers laid off

US Marines’ deployment to Darwin called off due to virus restrictions

In a statement released on Tuesday, Ms Giorgi also took aim at the Territory Government for passing legislation designed to address a legal technicality preventing Dan Murphy’s from setting up shop.

“Make no mistake, this store, in this location, will fuel more harm,” she said.

“The NT Liquor Commission has made that clear, yet Woolworths continues to do all in its power to ignore the law and now change the law — seemingly hellbent on serving their own corporate interests.”

Attorney-General Natasha Fyles said: “Jobs are our number one priority and businesses need certainty to create jobs.”

“This legislation will cut red tape for businesses by allowing them to substitute their liquor license to a premise that has not yet been built.”

Ms Giorgi said the lives of people who were “already vulnerable and even more so amid the COVID-19 crisis”, would be “negatively and severely impacted by Woolworths’ corporate greed”.

AMAZING NT News subscription offer: Only $1 for first 28 days

“When a large corporation has before it information that confirms that their proposed development would result in more alcohol-fuelled harm, and even death, then they need to be transparent as to their understanding of the risk and accept responsibility for their decision making,” she said.

“There is an expectation that corporations consider the impact of their decisions on communities, not just their ability to make a profit.”

Woolworths was contacted for comment.