Job listings by supermarket giant Aldi have caused a stir among the chain’s Tasmanian fans, after positions were advertised in two of the state’s small towns.
The listings were posted for Store Assistant roles in Carlton, near Dodges Ferry and Rosebery on the state’s West Coast.
The news of Aldi hiring staff in Tasmania was too good to be true, with a company spokesperson telling Pulse the listings were ‘simply an error’.
“These job listings were a result of a system error which we are in the process of investigating,” the spokesperson said.
“At this stage, ALDI has no plans to open stores in Tasmania.”
Since 2001, the German-owned supermarket chain has opened more than 590 stores in every jurisdiction except the Northern Territory and Tasmania.
Jacqui Lambie Network MP Andrew Jenner earlier this year called on the state government to invest $1 million in the state budget in a study to explore the possibility of bringing an Aldi, Costco or similar low-cost supermarket chain to the island.
He said such a move could significantly reduce grocery prices for locals.
“Research from consumer group Choice has found that the average cost of groceries in Tasmania is 25% higher than on the mainland, despite Tasmanian wages being an average of 10% lower,” Jenner said.
“The report stated that the lack of ALDI, or equivalent low-cost supermarkets in Tasmania is directly contributing to the higher-than-average grocery prices.”
It remains to be seen whether the funding will be included in the state budget, which will be handed down this Thursday.
