Tasmanian Senator Tammy Tyrrell pushing for Aldi to open a supermarket in the state

Along with the Northern Territory, Tasmania is the only state in Australia that does not have an Aldi supermarket. But a Tasmanian senator wants that to change.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – NewsWire Photos OCTOBER 03, 2024: Stock image – Aldi supermarket. Picture: NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

Tasmanian independent Senator Tammy Tyrrell has upped her efforts to bring Aidi to the state.

The senator has launched a petition calling for Aldi to open a supermarket in Tasmania.

As of Friday morning, the supermarket has more than 1100 signatures.

Senator Tammy Tyrrell during the Senate Select Committee on Supermarket Prices at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Ms Tyrrell said “Tasmania needs Aldi” and is “on a mission to get them here.”

“We’re being hit at the hip pocket every time we go through the grocery checkout. The annual Christmas lunch shop hit harder last December than it ever has before,” she said. “Prices aren’t getting any better.

“And thanks to CHOICE, we know Tasmania is paying more for groceries because we don’t have Aldi.”

Ms Tyrrell said bringing Aldi to Tasmania would mean that grocery prices would decrease.

“If we want lower grocery prices, we have to show Aldi we’ll make it work if they come across the Bass Strait.

“Some people aren’t optimistic – they think Tassie isn’t big enough for them to come here.

Just tell that to the people in Yass, NSW. They have a population of just under 7000 people and their own store.

“That’s about the same as New Norfolk having an Aldi.”

Anna McGrath, ALDI Stores Australia Chief Executive Officer appears before a Senate Select Committee on Supermarket Prices at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Aldi did not respond to the Mercury’s request for comment, but the company’s CEO Anna McGrath told a Senate Inquiry in April that no stores were planned for Tasmania.

“Tasmania, Far North Queensland, the distance and the complexities of the supply chain, it just makes it less easy,” Ms McGrath said.

“That’s not to say we don’t continuously review where we may expand in the future.”