City X Australia Post slammed for ‘poorly-worded’ signage after saying it ‘cannot take Indian photos’

An Australia Post branch in the CBD has been lashed over a “bizarre” and “poorly-worded” sign telling customers it “cannot take Indian photos”.

Australia Post has apologised over a sign at an Adelaide branch telling customers it would not take “Indian photos”, saying it was inexcusable and labelling it a “lapse in judgement”.

The sign, which has since been removed, was located in the passport photo area of Australia Post’s City X store in the CBD.

“Due to the lighting and quality of photo background, we unfortunately can not (sic) take Indian photos,” the sign read.

“We apologise for the inconvenience.”

The sign sparked backlash being shared to social media, with commenters calling it “poorly worded”, “bizarre” and “insane”.

“For the price of the sign, they could have fixed the lighting, surely?” one commenter wrote.

Others called for disciplinary action against the store, labelling the sign “racist”.

A sign at the City Cross Australia Post indicating they cant do passport photos for Indian people. Picture: @justadelaidethings

The Advertiser spoke to a customer who was turned away by staff at the City X Australia Post after seeking an Indian passport photo from the store.

He said when he came to take passport photos of himself and his family on Wednesday afternoon, he was told he would have to go elsewhere.

The man was frustrated Australia Post was not able to provide a white background for himself and his family to take passport photos.

“It was an inconvenience,” he said.

Australia Post has since apologised unreservedly for the sign, which The Advertiser understands was installed by a staff member following a number of complaints over rejected Indian passports.

However, Australia Post did not answer questions asking whether similar incidents had occurred at other locations.

Staff said the branch had an off-white passport background, which was causing the images to be turned down by the Indian government on application.

Staff said they erected the sign in an attempt to rectify the issue.

An Australia Post spokesperson said the sign was unauthorised and was removed as soon as it was made aware of the issue, which it called a “lapse in judgement (which fell) well below the standard expected from Australia Post team members”.

“While the wording of this sign is inexcusable, we understand the Indian Consulate had rejected a number of customers’ passport photos provided by this Post Office,” a spokesperson said.

“We have reached out to the High Commission of India to understand the issue with the photographs, so we can rectify this urgently.

“It’s especially disappointing given Australia Post prides itself on its commitment to inclusion and diversity both across our workforce and within our communities.”

They said an investigation into the issue was under way and the team member concerned had been spoken to.

My letter to Australia Post regarding the unacceptable message displayed in an Adelaide post office.

I will provide an update when I receive a response. pic.twitter.com/7TxOppCgAl

— Michelle Rowland (@MRowlandMP) November 17, 2022

Communications Minister Michelle Rowland wrote in a letter addressed to Australia Post CEO Paul Graham she was “deeply disturbed at the material displayed in the Post Office in Adelaide’s Rundle Mall”.

“The message displayed in relation to passport photos was unacceptable and has caused great offence,” she wrote.

“This has particularly offended many within Australia’s Subcontinent communities.”

The store manager of the City Cross location did not wish to comment.