In the Australia Day controversy, who’s against, and who’s for?

Coles’ half-hearted stance on Australia Day has been revealed, and Cricket Australia won’t even mention the words. So who’s against January 26 as the date – and who’s not?

It began earlier this month when Woolworths announced it would no longer stock Australia Day items – and Aldi quickly followed.

Then, on Tuesday, The Advertiser revealed Coles had allegedly instructed staff to refer to January 26 as the “national public holiday”, refrain from celebrating it at work or displaying national flags in stores.

Themed merchandising is to be promoted as “summer entertaining” products, the employee said.

In between, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton launched into the fray, while both Cricket Australia and Tennis Australia made their case clear.

The culture wars are in full effect. So who’s come out against Australia Day this year – and who’s supporting it?

It’s a no from Woolworths and Aldi

Woolworths had cited a “gradual decline” in demand for Australia Day-themed merchandise and a “broader discussion” about the meaning of the January 26 date, across different parts of the community.

It said the merchandise would no longer be sold across its stores, or in Big W.

“While Australian flags are sold within BIG W all year round, we don’t have any additional themed merchandise available to purchase in-store in our supermarkets or BIG W ahead of Australia Day,” the spokesman said.

Aldi followed days later, confirming it would not sell Australia Day merchandise this year but otherwise refused to comment.

It had previously stocked a wide range of Australia Day-themed goods, known as the Australia Day Special Buys catalogue, but not this year.

Earlier on Tuesday, Petstock told staff it wouldn’t recognise Australia Day across its stores.

Petstock – of which Woolies owns 55 per cent – said the move promotes more inclusivity.

Kmart last year confirmed it no longer stocked Australia Day-specific products to ensure it is “inclusive and respectful” to all.

But Drakes says it’ll sell out of Aus Day stuff

In SA, Drake’s and Romeo’s supermarkets will still sell the merch.

Drake’s director John-Paul Drake said it was about giving the customer choice – while admitting there was a broader discussion about the date.

“Whether you choose to celebrate Australia Day or not is totally up to you,” he said in an Instagram post last Sunday.

John-Paul Drake with an Australia Day flag in his Wayville store. Picture: Brenton Edwards

A day later, he guaranteed The Advertiser his stores would sell out of Australia Day merch – and said he’d ordered more in when he heard of Woolies stance.

Peter Dutton and Anthony Albanese – and Peter Goers

Mr Dutton has led the charge against Woolworths, calling on people to boycott the supermarket giant for its stance.

Mr Dutton urged customers to shop from IGA, Coles or Aldi instead – labelling the move an “outrage”.

“I would advise very strongly to take your business elsewhere and go to IGA or Coles or Aldi,” Mr Dutton said. “I think until we get common sense out of a company like Woolworths, I don’t think they should be supported by the public.”

‘Take your business elsewhere,’ Mr Dutton said. Picture: Richard Dobson

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese wouldn’t make a stand on the date and said his focus was ensuring the supermarket was doing the “right thing by customers at the checkout”. His stance them copped a blast from Sunrise host Nat Barr.

Meanwhile, in an incendiary column, Advertiser columnist Peter Goers applauded Woolies for its Aus Day move, saying “every time I see our flag I feel sad. It flies against the independence of our nation”.

So what about all the sports?

The conversation quickly turned to sport – as it always does in Australia.

Tennis Australia will, for the second year in a row, not recognise Australia Day.

Each year at the Australian Open an Aussie tennis legend is inducted into the Australian Tennis Hall of Fall. That event normally takes place on January 26, this year however Lleyton Hewitt’s induction has been moved to take place on January 24.

Tennis players are granted free speech and can make political statements at the Australian Open.

Meanwhile, Cricket Australia will not use the term ‘Australia Day’ on the day, which coincides with day two of the second Test between Australia and the West Indies in Brisbane.

CA will conduct a standard Welcome to Country ceremony on day one of the Test, the day before Australia Day.

It’s believed a ground announcer will make mention of January 26, but nothing of Australia’s official national day.

CA is set to acknowledge the day means vastly different things to different people.

Blowback against Cricket Australia

The decision led to a stumbling interview between Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley on Tuesday with 2GB’s Ben Fordham.

“We’re not boycotting Australia Day, we want to play cricket on Australia Day, we’re just mindful that it means different things to different people,’’ Hockley said, to repeated questions if the term ‘Australia Day’ would be used on the day.

“Um … the … they won’t and we’ve taken a consistent approach for the past …’’ Hockley said.

“Respectfully Ben, we’re taking the same approach that we’ve taken over the last four or five years and taken on good advice.”

“We want everyone to come along to celebrate Australia Day.”

Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley was grilled by 2GB’s Ben Fordham this week. Picture: Morgan Hancock/Getty Images

Fordham hit back: “But you won’t celebrate Australia Day. I don’t know how you’re including the majority of Australians who want to celebrate the national day.”

Not long after, Test captain Pat Cummins said the date of Australia Day should be shifted.

“This conversation comes up every year really and Cricket Australia been pretty consistent over the last four or five years in the way they approach it,” Cummins said.

“I think we should have an Australia Day but I think we can probably find a more appropriate date to celebrate.”

Meanwhile, Jeff Kennett blasted CA for its decision – and the 80 councils who won’t celebrate it across the country.