Andrews warns of food warehouse challenges in Christmas lead-up
By Ashleigh McMillan
Premier Daniel Andrews says the COVID-19 restrictions could pose an issue with warehousing food close to Christmas.
It comes after the head of supermarket giant Woolworths, Brad Banducci, warned the Victorian government its stores in the state could suffer stock shortages of certain products in the lead up to Christmas if restrictions that have crippled its supply chain are not eased.
Mr Andrews said the government was in "detailed discussions about what that busiest period of the year looks like".
"Some restrictions we have with warehousing at the moment is a challenge. That is what the industry tells us. Not right now, but it will be a challenge later," he said.
"I'm confident we will find a balance that sees everything we need on the shelves whilst also making sure that those warehouse settings particularly, which have been high risk, are as safe as they possibly can be."
The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald have been told by multiple sources that Mr Banducci warned the government that if supply chains were not operating at 100 per cent capacity over the coming months, individual stores could start to see stock shortages across certain products, similar to what was experienced in March and April.
During a COVID-19 update on Friday, Mr Andrews confirmed it wouldn't be a normal Christmas for Victorians.
"We don't want it to be a lockdown Christmas. We want it to be a Christmas that can be as close to normal as possible, a COVID-normal Christmas. That means it will look different in lots of different ways," he said.
"But the aim is to take these safe and steady steps and find that COVID-normal and have a Christmas that's much closer to last Christmas than it otherwise would be."
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"I beseech you in the bowels of Christ think it possible you may be mistaken"
Oliver Cromwell, 3rd August 1650 - in a letter to the General Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland
Woolworths has moved to reassure Victorians there will be more than enough food for Christmas.
There have been concerns about the availability of Christmas staples due to Covid-restrictions placed on warehouses affecting distribution to stores.
Woolworths Group CEO Brad Banducci says they're working with the Victorian Government to reduce community movement wherever possible and to ensure Victorians have access to essential needs this Christmas.
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That's not entirely correct Phillipn. Imports of pork bones into Australia is not permitted so all bone-in leg ham will be Australian ham as you say. But there's at least one smallgoods supplier thar markets Australian ham off the bone. Bertocchi, a Vic based company, produce several products and they are damn good. There are probably others too, so definitely read labelling. We always have a small private Christmas/New Year and typically buy these smaller hams rather than a larger leg.
