MGA CEO Martin Stirling warns of escalating violence targeting nightclubs in Turkish-language media coverage

Master Grocers Australia CEO Martin Stirling was quoted in Dunya News, a Turkish-language publication serving the Australian Turkish community, following the arson attack on Melbourne’s La Di Da nightclub.

In the article titled “Melbourne’de bir gece kulübü daha hedefte” (Another nightclub targeted in Melbourne), Martin warned that the increasing attacks on licensed venues could escalate out of control, drawing parallels with the illicit tobacco wars.

Martin emphasised concerns that what began as attacks on the hospitality industry could expand to liquor retailing, describing it as a “booze wars” crisis that requires urgent government intervention.

The article, published in Turkish, detailed the early morning arson attack at La Di Da nightclub on King Street and Little Bourke Street, noting it was part of a series of attacks being investigated under Operation Eclipse.

Martin’s warning about the potential for events to spiral “out of control just like what we saw with illicit tobacco” was highlighted in the coverage, alongside his call for mature conversations about excise tax settings and adequate resourcing for law enforcement and Border Force.

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