MGA CEO Martin Stirling warns of escalating ‘booze wars’ following La Di Da nightclub arson attack

Master Grocers Australia CEO Martin Stirling appeared on ABC Melbourne today following another arson attack on a Melbourne nightclub, warning that the increasing attacks on licensed venues could escalate out of control.

In coverage of the La Di Da nightclub fire, which occurred in the early hours of Tuesday morning at the corner of King and Little Bourke streets, Martin expressed serious concerns about the pattern of attacks and called for urgent government action.

“We think that we’re right on the cusp of this escalating to something that could become out of control just like what we saw with illicit tobacco,” Martin told ABC Radio Melbourne. “At the moment it seems to be contained within the hospitality industry, but our great fear is that it will expand to liquor retailing as well.”

Martin called on state and federal governments to do more to address what he described as the “black market booze crisis,” drawing parallels with the prolonged illicit tobacco wars.

“Unfortunately, it took far too long for governments all around the country, including Victoria and federally, to start to address the illicit tobacco wars,” he said. “What we need are mature conversations about whether the excise tax settings are correct, whether our police and law enforcement and Border Force are correctly resourced to get on top of this quickly.”

The article notes that the fire is being investigated by Operation Eclipse, which is examining a series of fires targeting licensed premises in metropolitan Melbourne believed to be linked to organised crime. The ABC was also told that threatening text messages have been sent to multiple venues amid the spate of arson attacks.

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