Woolworths increased prices on several popular items, including a 33% mark-up on chicken fillets, within days of launching its three-month "Price Freeze" promotion on 300 "family staples," according to pricing data compiled by CW Scanner and provided to Guardian Australia. The revelation has sparked scrutiny of the supermarket chain's commitment to helping customers with the cost of living.
Price Hikes During Promised Freeze
The data shows Woolworths raising prices on at least four key products after starting the promotion. The 33% increase on chicken fillets was among the most notable, directly contradicting the company's stated goal of easing financial pressure on households.
Woolworths had promised to freeze prices on 300 staple items for three months, a move widely seen as a response to growing public concern over grocery costs. However, the CW Scanner data suggests that promise was not fully upheld, raising questions about the transparency and effectiveness of such promotional schemes.
Political Reactions and Other News
Separately, former prime minister Tony Abbott has called on One Nation to remove a cartoon labelling Liberal frontbencher Andrew Hastie a "traitor," or accept that it is playing a double standard. Abbott joined widespread condemnation of the "offensive" cartoon posted on social media.
In other political news, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is under fire after an invite-only grant program allocated millions to marginal Labor seats and his old local golf club. Critics are asking whether this is "sports rorts all over again," referencing a previous scandal involving sports grants.
Broader Context and World Events
The Woolworths controversy comes amid broader economic concerns. Nervous investors across major economies have been dumping government bonds, driving up the cost of borrowing, as surging oil prices amplified fears about rising inflation. This global bond sell-off reflects growing anxiety about the cost of living worldwide.
In the United States, Donald Trump's promise of a US$5,000 "Trump dividend" for every US citizen if Republicans retain control of Congress in November's midterm elections has sparked incredulity and accusations of bribery.
Meanwhile, a new documentary has revealed testimony from 24 Israeli military insiders on the secret systems used in the war on Gaza, shedding light on the mass killing of Palestinian civilians.
Other Australian Stories
In Tasmania, the historic Royal Hotel in the ghost town of Linda, near Gormanston, has sold for $300,000. The roofless, concrete-shell building, one of the few official ruins in the state, was bought sight unseen by a Perth chef named Naiche and his partner.
In sport, Fremantle Dockers fans are on edge as the 2026 AFL minor premiers face a possible straight-sets exit in the semi-final against Geelong. In cricket, England has batted Pakistan out of the third Test, with Ollie Robinson taking two wickets in the first over. In football, Benjamin Sesko has soared as Manchester United surged past Sabah Baku in a Champions League return.
The NSW premier, Chris Minns, is hoping to avoid a 2027 state election fought over law and order as frustration grows within Labor at escalating gangland violence in Sydney, according to the Sydney Morning Herald. Labor's flagship $75m anti-extremism program is failing to reform the vast majority of participants, The Australian reports. A prominent disability advocate is furious with Qantas after a battle over compensation for a wheelchair broken on one of its flights, the ABC reports.
