Peter Dutton’s ‘bizarre’ boycott of Woolies slammed, claims it could risk up to 200,000 Aussie jobs

The prime minister has chided Peter Dutton over his ‘bizarre’ call to boycott Woolworths, highlighting the hundreds of thousands of Aussie jobs that would be put at risk.

Anthony Albanese has unleashed on Peter Dutton’s “bizarre” call for a boycott of Woolworths, accusing the opposition leader of being more concerned with fighting a culture war than on helping Australians with cost of living.

Mr Dutton has attacked the supermarket giant’s decision to stop selling Australia Day merchandise – a move that Aldi has since followed last week.

The Prime Minister described the call as an “extraordinary oversearch by a guy in order to make a point on a radio interview” and said such a call risked putting more than 200,000 people out of a job.

“I am not quite sure how Mr Dutton explains to the 200,000 employees of Woolworths that he thinks they shouldn’t have a job, because if people boycott Woolworths, if no one is buying the product, guess what? The jobs disappear,” Mr Albanese said.

“My government is concerned with the fight against inflation.

“Peter Dutton is more concerned about fighting culture wars.”

Mr Albanese took aim at Mr Dutton on Tuesday. Photo by: NCA NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard

Mr Dutton made the call to boycott Woolworths last week. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Mr Albanese had used an earlier radio interview to describe Mr Dutton’s stunt as “bizarre”, noting that the “so-called party of the free market is calling for a boycott of a company that employs 200,000 Australians”.

Mr Albanese’s comments come after a Brisbane Woolworths store was allegedly vandalised on Monday morning.

The graffiti read “5 days 26 Jan Aussie Oi Oi Woolies F*** U”, and the words “Boycott Woolies” was spray painted on the entrance doors.

A flare was also allegedly set off under the store’s door.

Police charged a man allegedly behind the vandalism with one count each of wilful damage and wilful damage by graffiti.

The Kmart Group – which also includes Target – stopped selling Australia Day merchandise last year in a bid to make their stores “inclusive and respectful” to all.

Mr Albanese accused Mr Dutton of being willing to say “anything without thinking through the implications”.

Woolworth’s dumped Australia Day merch this year. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Christian Gilles

Mr Albanese said he would spend Australia Day attending commemorations in Canberra and Sydney and challenged Mr Dutton to do the same.

“I hope that Peter Dutton turns up this year to the national commemorations and the Australia Day awards where we will name the Australian of the Year and the Senior Australian of the Year and the Volunteer of the Year as well as the Young Australian of the Year as well,” he said on Tuesday morning.

“I think they’re important events.”

On Monday, the Prime Minister declined to say if he believed the supermarkets’ claim prices were rising due to inflation rather than profiteering.

Facing a major test in the upcoming Dunkley by-election, triggered by the death of Peta Murphy, Labor is scrambling to cut through to voters on the cost-of-living.

The Treasury and the Department of Finance have been tasked with finding ways to deliver relief in a way that does not exacerbate inflation.

Meanwhile, the government remains open to ordering the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission inquiry into prices – with Mr Albanese indicating potential litigation could also be considered.

“If the ACCC asks for more powers, my government is up for giving it to them,” he said on Tuesday.

“We want to make sure that people are paying the lowest possible prices when they get to a checkout. That’s our priority along with other measures to assist people.”

Originally published as Peter Dutton’s ‘bizarre’ boycott of Woolies slammed, claims it could risk up to 200,000 Aussie jobs