Retail in Asia

In Shops

Aldi’s tax needs “a good look”, says Wesfarmers chief Richard Goyder

Wesfarmers boss Richard Goyder has turned his guns on rising rival Aldi over tax, suggesting the German-owned chain may not be paying its fair share.

Mr Goyder said new entrants to the Australian market should be on the same "playing field" as Wesfarmers-owned Coles and its competitor Woolworths.

"I think someone should go and have a good look at how much tax Aldi pays in this country because I suspect they’re very profitable," Mr Goyder said, during an address to the American Chamber of Commerce in Australia in Melbourne. "They should be paying corporate tax in Australia and they should be very transparent."

The discount chain has long faced accusations of secrecy, and details of the company’s revenue and tax payments are not available because it is registered in Australia as a limited partnership, which is not required to disclose its accounts to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission.