Analysis, investigations, and updates on corporate ownership in Australia. All claims sourced. All corrections logged.
Stone & Wood built its reputation as Byron Bay's craft brewery. The beer, the ethos, the Byron identity — all carefully crafted. What was less carefully communicated: Lion, owned by Japan's Kirin Holdings, bought them in 2021.
When you compare quotes from AAMI, GIO, NRMA, CGU, and Suncorp, you might think you're getting multiple independent opinions on your insurance value. You're not. Most of these brands are owned by just two companies: IAG and Suncorp.
For every corporate camouflage story, there's a genuine independent holding the line. Here are ten Australian-owned, genuinely independent brands across beer, wine, spirits, and food that deserve your support.
Coles and Woolworths together control approximately 67% of Australian grocery retail. When two companies dominate that much of what you eat, drink, and clean with, the consequences go far beyond price.
Walk into Dan Murphy's and you'll see hundreds of wines from producers you've never heard of. Many of them don't exist as real wineries. They're phantom brands — names created by Pinnacle Drinks, owned by Endeavour Group, to fill shelf space with the appearance of choice.
The craft beer movement emerged as a consumer revolt against corporate beer. Australians embraced it enthusiastically. Then corporate bought it. Here's what happened — and which 'craft' beers are now corporate-owned.
Corporate Camouflage is an Australian consumer transparency platform. This is the story of why it exists — the problem it's trying to solve and the values behind it.
Victoria Bitter, Carlton Draught, Great Northern, Crown Lager, Pure Blonde. These are Australian icons. They're also owned by Asahi Group Holdings — a Japanese multinational headquartered in Tokyo.
Walk into any Liquorland or First Choice Liquor and you'll see dozens of wines from producers you've never heard of. Most are not independent. They're Coles-created phantom brands designed to look like small producers.
Bundaberg Rum is as Australian as it gets. The bear, the distillery in regional Queensland, the decades of heritage. It's owned by Diageo plc, headquartered in London — the world's largest spirits company.