‘We’re coming after you’: Dutton warns grocery hoarders, major move to restock shelves
Peter Dutton has slammed black-market sellers stripping supermarket shelves of goods to sell at inflated prices, while Australia is set for a massive toilet paper delivery.
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Toilet paper is on the way Australia.
Shoppers have been urged to calm as supermarkets, distribution centres and freight companies work around the clock to deliver much needed goods including loo paper.
At Coles’s major distribution centre in Truganina in Melbourne’s west today staff were working around the clock to get supplies including hundreds of crates of toilet paper in trucks and off to stores for shoppers.
Linfox forklift driver Joseph Camilleri said “there’s more than enough toilet paper for Australia”.
“We are trying to get it out as fast as we can,” he said.
“We have plenty of stock for Australia.”
Coles chief operating officer Matt Swindells reinforced Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s message on Wednesday to “stop hoarding”.
“Australians should stop hoarding, there is not a shortage of product,” he said.
“It’s excessive demand way beyond normal demand, we have done three Christmases back to back in a space of three weeks.
“That is not sustainable.”
Woolworths also yesterday suspended normal delivery operations and added fresh milk to its limit list of two items per customer.
‘WE’RE COMING AFTER YOU’: DUTTON TELLS SHOPPING CRIME GANGS
“Highly-organised” black-market sellers are being blamed for the panic-buying phenomenon gripping supermarkets across the nation as police crackdown on those profiteering from the crisis and urge others to dob them in.
Police are launching a massive crackdown on criminal groups hoarding essential items from supermarkets and reselling them overseas as the government plans a targeted home delivery program for the elderly.
Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton told 2GB’s Ray Hadley organised criminal groups were being investigated for depriving everyday Australians of critical groceries.
“We do have some people profiteering, hoarding not for consumption and either selling overseas or in a black market arrangement in Australia. We are going to come after those people and give them a fair warning now it won’t be a pretty experience.”
Police were swooping in on the behaviour, targeting areas where hoarding has been reported, Mr Dutton said.
“We will come down like a tonne of bricks on those individuals because I think they’re the ones that have created this pattern of behaviour with hoarding and clearing shelves and normally sensible people have been wrapped in this because they’ve panicked when they’ve seen the shelves empty,” he said.
The government is now urging Australians to do the right thing and not follow the lead of criminals in hoarding items for resale.
“You’re making it harder for people who are the most vulnerable, those on a pension, self-funded retirees who may not be buying more than a couple of days groceries because they can’t afford it. You need to stop,” he said.
Dutton also reassured Australians that we have “more food in this country than we can consume” and urged everyone to only buy what is necessary.
“Please show an example to your neighbour, person shopping beside, be sensible about purchases and we can restore normality,” he said.
It was put to Mr Dutton by Hadley that organised groups were sending buses into regional towns and clearing out supermarkets
“It’s a busload of Asian Australians I presume with a trailer on the back, just going to these shopping centres and shops... Aldi, Coles and Woollies and clearing the joint out.” Hadley said.
“I’m at a loss, do they sell it at local stores or take it elsewhere? Do you know where all the items are going?”
“Yes, I do but investigations are underway so I’m not going into more detail,” Mr Dutton replied.
Photos and footage have shown people of all ethnicities hoarding groceries across Sydney.
MAJOR MOVE TO GET GOODS ONTO SUPERMARKET SHELVES
Agriculture Minister David Littleproud has urged shoppers to calm down, insisting there is no risk to Australia’s food security because of coronavirus.
The federal Nationals deputy leader said Australia produced enough food for 75 million people, three times the nation’s population.
“There is no risk of us having any issues around food security,” he told ABC News Breakfast television on Thursday.
He said the only pressure on supply chains was coming from the stupidity of people who are panic buying.
“They need to take a deep breath, have a cold shower and understand that if they shop normally, then the shelves will be stocked normally,” Mr Littleproud said.
Foreign Minister Marise Payne said discussions about relaxing night truck curfews were underway with local councils to allow more deliveries to supermarkets.
“We will be engaging in those conversations to make sure we are facilitating the delivery of goods into supermarkets,” she told Seven’s Sunrise.
Coles has taken out full-page newspaper advertisements announcing limits on toilet paper, pasta, flour, eggs, some meat, hand sanitiser and soaps.
Business Council of Australia chief executive Jennifer Westacott said supermarket staff had been abused by people looking to strip shelves of essential items or frustrated because items weren’t available. “It’s unfair and it’s unnecessary. There’s no supply problem here. There’s a selfishness problem,” she told ABC Radio National.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Wednesday issued a blunt message to people hoarding food.
“Stop it. It’s not sensible, it’s not helpful and I’ve got to say it’s been one of the most disappointing things I’ve seen in Australian behaviour in response to this crisis,” he said.
“That is not who we are as a people.”
WOOLWORTHS WORKING TO SUPPLY EQUIVALENT TO 50M CUSTOMERS
Supermarkets are working to supply goods to what is the equivalent of more than double the nation’s population as greedy Australians are put on notice to stop panic buying by the Prime Minister.
Woolworths’ chief executive officer Brad Banducci said on Wednesday that the grocery giant was dealing with two to three times more than normal demand for products to service what would be 50 million people.
He also said the company would soon be recruiting many more staff.
“We have got two to three times the demand for normal products and in that context it’s virtually impossible for any of us to keep up with it,” Mr Banducci said.
“In simplistic terms we’ve been asked to keep 50 million Australians versus 24 million.”
Mr Morrison pleaded with shoppers to stop pilfering items from shelves as its “un-Australian”.
“On bulk purchasing of supplies, stop hoarding. I can’t be more blunt about it. Stop it,” he said.
“It is not sensible, it is not helpful and it has been one of the most disappointing things I have seen in Australian behaviour in response to this crisis.
“That is not who we are as a people. It is not necessary. It is not something that people should be doing.”
Bare shelves in supermarkets across the country is now a normal sight leaving many dejected as they leave the stores without their bare essentials.
Mr Banducci said there was significant pressure on the Woolworths’ supply chain and it would continue for some time yet.
“In many cases in order to get toilet paper or other higher demand products in the shops we have to prioritise them over other products,” he said.
“If all of our customers collectively across all retailers just bought what they needed plus a little bit more we would have everything in stock that they need.”
He said staff at the company’s distribution centres were working 24-hours a day and many staff were under extreme pressure.
“We are pushing through as much product as we can,” Mr Banducci said.
“The real issue is managing the fatigue in our warehouses.”
Mr Banducci said Woolworths would be “ramping up hours for existing casuals” while also “hiring more casuals”.
Toilet paper, paper towel, hand sanitiser, meat, eggs, pasta, rice, dishwashing liquid and powder remain among the many scarcely-available items.
Woolworths said in a statement on Tuesday it would be adopting a new system to deal with the increased demand.
“As the situation continues to evolve, we’ve made some further changes to the maximum number of products customers can buy, in addition to any other limits already in place,” the statement reads.
“There is now a per customer, per shop limit of two items from any single category on most packaged products across Woolworths Supermarkets and Metro stores and online. This means customers will only be able to buy two products from any single included category, regardless of the brand or variety. There are some exceptions where no limits remain, such as fruit and vegetables, fresh milk and baby food.”
Customers are still able to buy fresh fruit and vegetables, meat (excluding mince), deli, bakery, seafood, fresh mik, canned fish and drinks without restriction. There is also no limit on baby food, pet food, yoghurts, as well as Easter and confectionary products.
Items including antibacterial wipes, baby wipes, paper towels, rice (2kg and above), serviettes and toilet paper remain subject to one item limits.
Everything else falls under the two items per person rule.
Coles also introduced new limits this morning, restricting the sale of chilled milk at two units per shopper.
“This includes all sizes of white dairy milk, plant-based non-dairy & goats milk sold chilled in our dairy fridges,” a statement on Twitter read.
The restriction applies to Coles brand, and branded varieties.
‘THERE’S NOTHING ON YOUR SHELVES’
On Wednesday, a sea of Aldi shoppers lined up at 9am in Sydney ahead of the store’s new opening hour of 9.30am, an hour later than usual to get their hands on essential grocery items.
The crowd streamed through the Edgecliff store and stocked up on meat, fruit and vegetables but were only able to get a small amount of toilet paper and tissues that were available.
Other items out of stock were flour, long life milk, canned fish, and health products like hand sanitiser.
Shoppers then queued up at the checkouts, leaving very little room to move as the long line snaked down the aisles.
Earlier, eager elderly and vulnerable shoppers keen to get their hands on essentials queued outside Coles and Woolworths – but they still faced empty shelves.
Unlike chaotic scenes outside Woolworths stores yesterday, some Coles supermarkets had much more orderly queues as shoppers waited for the special hour of shopping form 7am to 8am for those most in need.
Outside two supermarkets in Coburg in Melbourne’s north shoppers waited to be let into the store and many left with prized goods including toilet paper, packs of paper towels and tissues.
Pensioner Denise Rickard, 67, from Pascoe Vale South said “this morning was far better than it was yesterday”.
“I was at Woolies yesterday and it was just dreadful,” she said.
Down to her final two toilet rolls she managed to get a pack of toilet paper and paper towels but was unable to get pasta and mince.
While retirees Mary Gambin, 69, and husband Philip, 73, from Pascoe Vale South got serviettes, chocolates and biscuits.
“We are not stocked, we think we have got enough and when the grandkids aren’t there Phil and I can survive with what’s in the cupboard,” she said.
“I can’t understand this irrational behaviour, there really is no need for it,” she said.
The pair said their main concern was for their heavily pregnant daughter and five-year-old son who has a heart condition.
Coles had security at the front of their supermarkets and also staff checking to make sure only eligible customers could enter for the special shopping hour.
In Sydney, senior shoppers were lined up at 7am at Woolworths in Double Bay where there was no bread available, laundry items or medicines such as Panadol.
There was limited stock of toilet paper and tissues. Coles and Woolies were checking those
entering the stores during the special shopping hour had the correct senior/disability eligibility card.
A witness described the scene as “civil”, with limited stock of items such as toilet paper.
But there was no stock on a lot of the shelves at Coles in Sydney’s Edgecliff today during the special hour of shopping for the elderly and vulnerable.
One man told a shop assistant “there’s nothing on your shelves”, as he walked out of the supermarket.
Upset shoppers were unable to buy meat, fruit and vegetables, milk, laundry items, tinned tomatoes and tissues, but there was a scarce amount of toilet paper back on shelves before it was taken.
PM SLAMS STAFF ABUSE AS CUSTOMERS DROP C-BOMB
Earlier, Scott Morrison called on the nation to stop abusing workers as coronavirus panic grips the Australia.
It comes amid ugly scenes at supermarkets, with customers seen fighting over goods including toilet paper.
Travel industry workers have also been hit with abuse as airlines slash flights amid the COVID-19 pandemic, with one even being called a “soulless c--t”.
“Do not abuse staff. We’re all in this together,” Mr Morrison said.
“People are doing their jobs. They’re doing their best. Whether they’re at a testing clinic this morning. Whether they’re at a shopping centre. Whether they’re at a bank, a train station, everybody is doing their best.
“So let’s just support each other in the work that they are doing.”
Ben*, a travel insurance call centre worker, said he understood why customers were disappointed as they struggled to make claims amid flight cancellations.
But he added the abuse made it “disheartening coming into work each day”.
“It wasn’t even 10am yesterday before a man with adult children called me soulless c--t,” Ben said.
“My work has an exclusion for pandemics in their policy. It’s not uncommon, but it’s also not something anyone was thinking about three months ago when booking flights – myself included.
“I totally understand the disappointment people feel, but I didn’t write the policy, and I’m experiencing the same issues as everyone else. It’s so disheartening coming into work each day.”
Imogen*, who works for a leading travel agency, said customers had called her a “waste of space”.
“I just wish people understood that it wasn’t me personally causing them harm. I’ve been called a scammer and a waste of space, and told I should be ashamed of myself,” Imogen said.
“I get paid just under $20 an hour. I’m doing everything I can to get people back their money, but they blame me if there’s a policy from a huge multinational company that’s stopping them.”
Compare Travel Insurance director Natalie Ball said that she understood travellers may be disappointed, but abusing call centre workers would not make anyone’s day better.
“Most travel industry call centres are young people on below median wages. Those workers generally have no relationship with the legal teams that write insurance or cruise, airfare, or accommodation policies. So I’d encourage everyone not to be a d--k.”
She said that rather than taking frustration out on call centre workers, travellers should pursue all official channels for recourse.
“Contact your airline or cruise company and travel insurer and see if you can reschedule your trip.”
“If your trip has been directly affected and you’re unable to reschedule it, consider lodging a claim with your insurer for formal review, and go through the insurer’s complaints procedure if you don’t get the outcome you want. If you’re still unhappy, you can then pursue it further with the Australian Financial Complaints Authority.”
*Last names redacted to protect workers’ identity.
ALDI’S NEW MEASURES
Aldi has changed its opening hours after the bargain supermarket chain joined Coles with creating new limits on items as shoppers flocked to Woolworths — but left empty-handed.
As of Wednesday March 18, all stores will trade from 9:30am-7pm, unless other state and local trading restrictions apply.
They have changed hours of operation to give employees a break so they can look after themselves and their families, and give store employees more time to restock shelves with products and be ready for customers.
They also said it would give time to their employees in the Distribution Centre to get the stock onto trucks and into stores where thorough cleaning will continue.
Woolworths yesterday conceded that their special shopping hour “wasn’t perfect” after mayhem swept stores across the country today.
The company’s managing director of supermarkets Claire Peters said in a statement, “We regret that many customers were unable to get all the items they needed this morning
“We’re doing the very best we can to get more stock into our stores and onto shelves as quickly as possible in the face of unprecedented demand.
“We’ll continue to operate the dedicated hour for the rest of the week – taking on the lessons of the day and getting better along the way.”
Shoppers across the country flocked to Woolworths supermarkets but many left empty-handed or unable to get bare essentials.
In the first morning of the new special one hour of shopping for the elderly and vulnerable at Woolworths supermarkets between 7am and 8am, queues outside were long with hundreds waiting outside stores nationwide before opening time.
At Glen Huntly in Melbourne’s southeast shoppers waited anxiously at the front of the store only to be left disappointed.
Pensioner Pat Riordan, 76, from Glen Huntly left empty-handed.
“I wanted to get toilet paper, paper towels and mince and there wasn’t any there,” she said.
“I asked in store and they said they didn’t get a delivery last night.”
While pensioners Gillian Phillips, 66, and husband Rodney, 74, from Caulfield East said they were able to get a few items.
“We got antibacterial soap and tissues which they handed out when you entered the store,” Mrs Phillips said
“I thought they would have more supplies.”
The supermarket was warning customers in queue before they entered they were very low on supplies.
Many irate customers were having heated conversations with each other with some even trying to push in the queues.
Traffic was weaving throughout the car park and onto the street with many furious customers tooting horn as tensions rose.
ALDI, COLES INTRODUCE NEW LIMITS
Meanwhile, Aldi and Coles have introduced new limits.
Aldi Australia CEO Tom Daunt issued a statement today saying the following items are now restricted further.
*Toilet paper – 1 unit
*Dry Pasta – 2 units
*Flour – 2 units
*Dry Rice (excludes microwave rice) – 2 units
*Paper Towels – 2 units
*Tissues – 2 units
*Hand Sanitiser – 2 units
He also said they are continuing to takes steps to ensure our staff remain comfortable serving customers and have developed new conditions of entry to our stores.
They include:
*Respect our employees and their physical space
*Respect each other and look out for those less able
*Practice good hygiene in our stores
*Do not attempt to ‘game’ our product restriction policies
*We remind you that we will not accept any violent behaviour (verbal or physical) in or around our stores and the police will be called immediately if required
*Be kind, be calm, be empathetic and most of all be courteous
*And, please, do one nice thing for someone else when you leave our store today
It comes as today Coles has introduced new purchase limits including two packs per customer of the following: eggs, chilled pasta, frozen vegetables and frozen dessert.
Woolworths and Coles have both implemented tough new measures that will deliver the elderly and vulnerable a dedicated shopping hour and reduced opening times for all shoppers.
The unprecedented moves comes amid the growing spread of the coronavirus pandemic which has resulted in shoppers panic buying and depleting store shelves.
The supermarket giants will close their stores from 8pm each night so they can restock their shelves before reopening for those disadvantaged shoppers from 7am the next morning.
Both supermarkets will begin the overnight closures in their stores at 8pm Wednesday night and re-open again on Thursday.
The unprecedented move to introduce a dedicated shopping hour has been introduced to help the elderly and people with disability in the community.
Those who can access the stores during this time will require a relevant Government concession card.
All stores will then be open to all customers from 8am.
Woolworths said it will begin the special shopping hour for the disadvantaged from Tuesday until Friday for now.
Rival Coles will start their dedicated shopping hour from 7am to 8am Wednesday morning.
Coles has also announced they will be recruiting 5000 new casuals to cope with the influx of shoppers that will continue in the coming months.
DELIVERY/CLICK & COLLECT AFFECTED
Coles also said they would stop home deliveries to customers who are not in genuine need.
The service has been temporarily suspended and Coles will also for now no longer accept click and collect orders.
Woolworths has also halted its click and collect services for customers and also stopped a popular delivery service.
On Sunday, Woolworths revealed its pick up service which allows customers to order via their smartphone or computer has been temporarily ground to a halt amid the coronavirus pandemic and panic buying by shoppers.
They also said they would be stopping their “delivery now” service which allows groceries to be delivered within two hours.
The move come after weeks of panic buying and supermarkets being pushed to the brink to cope with the demand for grocery items.
The supermarket giants have urged shoppers to “shop as they normally would” and not panic buy to help stop the stripping bare of shelves across the country.
DON’T PANIC BUY
The Victorian chief health officer Brett Sutton in the Sunday Herald Sun today urged shoppers to have a “two-week supply of food and a 60-day supply of prescription medication”.
This comes in stark contradiction to the nation’s chief medical officer Brendan Murphy, who told the ABC’s Insiders program today: “For most people we don’t want to encourage panic buying at the moment”.
“I think it is probably sensible to have a few days of supplies,” he said.
But a Coles spokeswoman has today advised shoppers to “shop as you normally would and there will be enough products for everyone.”
While a Woolworths spokeswoman also urged consumers to “only purchase what they need”.
The conflicting advice has left many people confused on exactly what steps they should take.
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