Opposition leader Peter Dutton has called on Australians to boycott Woolworths after the supermarket giant said it would not be stocking Australia Day-themed merchandise this year.
Dutton said the decision from Woolworths was an “outrage” and called for Woolworths CEO, Brad Banducci to reverse the decision.
Woolworths Group, which includes Big W, said it would not stock additional merchandise prior to January 26, saying there had been a “general decline in demand” for the products in recent years.
The company said it would continue to sell Australian flags all year round, as it usually did.
Speaking on 2GB Radio on Thursday, Dutton said he would strongly advise customers to take their business “elsewhere, to IGA, to Coles or Aldi” over the decision.
“I think it’s up to customers whether they want to go in and buy the product or not,” he told Sydney radio 2GB.
“If they don’t want to celebrate Australia Day, well that’s a decision for them, but I think people should boycott Woolworths.
“I think until we get common sense out of a company like Woolworths, I don’t think they should be supported by the public.”
“Other companies haven’t done it [stopped selling Australia Day merchandise] and on that basis, I think Australians should boycott Woolworths. I think Brad Banducci should come out and announce that he’s reversing the decision.”
What about common sense?
From his comments, it’s clear that Dutton wants Australians to boycott Woolworths until it uses its “common sense” regarding Australia Day merchandise. But isn’t that exactly what the company is doing?
As Woolworths expressed, one of the reasons it decided not to stock Australia Day-themed merchandise this year was due to a “general decline” in demand for the products in recent years.
“There has been a gradual decline in demand for Australia Day merchandise from our stores over recent years. At the same time there’s been broader discussion about 26 January and what it means to different parts of the community,” they said.
They also said there was a huge variety of other products on offer in stores that can help Australians mark January 26 as they wish.
“We know many people like to use this day as a time to get together and we offer a huge variety of products to help customers mark the day as they choose. Woolworths and BIG W celebrate the best of Australia every day, and we’re proud to support the farmers, producers, and suppliers who work with us.”
The reasoning offered from Woolworths was not good enough for Dutton, who went on to claim that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese needed to call out CEOs like Banducci.
“I think the prime minister, frankly, needs to call it out because these CEOs do believe that by making these crazy decisions, somehow they’re signing up to the woke agenda of Anthony Albanese,” he said.