ACT proposes streamlining approvals to attract new supermarkets
Monday 28 September 2026 · 3 outlets · 3 reports · updated In this story National Party, ACT Party, David Seymour, Foodstuffs
The ACT Party plans to introduce a single consenting pathway to reduce red tape for new supermarkets. Party leader David Seymour aims to accelerate building and liquor licensing approvals to encourage competition. The policy may also involve changing food labelling laws to attract new operators.
Key facts
3 facts
- ACT proposes a single consenting pathway for supermarket approvals, including liquor licences and building consents
- ACT intends to allow food products to comply with labelling laws from the UK, EU, and US
- The policy aims to reduce the time for approvals from years to months
The full story
1 min read · 3 outlets
The ACT Party has announced a policy to create a 'one-stop consenting shop' to streamline the opening of new supermarkets. This single point of contact would allow businesses to obtain building approvals, liquor licences, and other consents in months rather than years.
Party leader David Seymour argues that current regulations, such as varying council rules for rooflines and car parks, act as barriers to entry. He also intends to overhaul food labelling laws by allowing retailers to use labels from trusted regulatory systems like the UK, EU, or United States. This change aims to prevent international supermarkets from needing expensive, specific product runs for the Australasian market.
Seymour has criticised proposals from other parties to break up existing supermarket entities, calling such plans 'insane' and 'unethical'. He suggested that ACT could block National and NZ First's plans to split Foodstuffs if a coalition is formed.
The policy focuses on reducing the costs of doing business to encourage new competitors to challenge the current market. Seymour noted that current liquor licensing delays and council-specific rules make entering the market slower and more expensive.
How it developed
- Mon 28 Sep, 2:53pmThe third report specifies that ACT's labelling policy would involve working with Food Standards Australia and New Zealand first, but could depart from the trans-Tasman system if necessary.
Where reports differ
- While Seymour claims five National MPs have expressed concerns about National's supermarket policy, National finance spokesperson Nicola Willis denies any major grumbling within the caucus
Compiled from reports by Stuff, 1News and The Post.
