Steven Miles slams Peter Dutton for launching ‘culture war’ with supermarkets
Steven Miles has slammed Peter Dutton for launching a “culture war” with supermarkets over their decision not to stock Australia Day-themed merchandise. JOIN THE CONVERSATION
Opinion
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Queensland Premier Steven Miles says Peter Dutton should focus more on what Woolworths and Aldi charge for groceries rather than urging customers to boycott over the decision not to stock Australia Day-themed merchandise.
It comes after Mr Dutton slammed the supermarkets’ decision as an “outrage” and urged Woolworths chief executive Bradford Banducci to reverse the call that is “embarrassing” his employees.
“I think it’s up to customers, whether they want to buy the product or not … But I think people should boycott Woolworths,” he said.
Mr Miles said it was up to the supermarkets to decide what they did and didn’t stock.
“It’s a bit ironic that having spent years railing against cancel culture Peter Dutton is all of a sudden calling on people to cancel their visits to Woolies or to Aldi,” he said.
“What products they stock though, that’s a decision for them.
“I’ve been much more focused on what they charge for groceries. I think Peter Dutton should focus his attention on what the grocery stores are paying our farmers and then how much they are charging families for food rather than looking for another culture war.”
Woolworths in January confirmed no additional Australia Day-themed merch would be sold in its supermarkets or Big W stores for the 2024 public holiday.
“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,” a spokesperson said.
Woolworths joined Kmart in no longer stocking the items, with the discount retailer making a similar announcement in 2023.
Mr Dutton described Mr Banducci as being “very forward leaning” during the Voice debate and accused him of making “stupid decisions” to please Anthony Albanese
“I think the Prime Minister frankly needs to call it out,” Mr Dutton said.
When asked, Mr Albanese said his main focus was on “making sure that supermarkets do the right thing by their customers at the checkout”.
Coles has confirmed it will continue to sell Australia Day merchandise.
The decision by Woolworths follows a campaign in recent years to change the January 26 date of Australia Day, which commemorates the First Fleet raising the British flag in Sydney.
Indigenous groups often refer to January 26 as Invasion Day, signifying their belief that the arrival of colonisation on Australian shores also accompanied the deaths and oppression of thousands of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
News of Woolworths’ decision, followed by Mr Dutton’s pleas of a boycott, sparked a war of words with readers.
Some accused the Opposition leader of putting his nose in matters he shouldn’t; others, however, praised him for taking a stand.
Many also vowed to ditch Woolies in the future.
See what you had to say below and join the conversation >>>
WHAT YOU SAID
Go woke, go broke!
H
Woollies, just remember. Over 60% of Aussies voted “No” for the yes vote. You are alienating 60% of the population. Wake up!
Pending -> Cancelled
No more Woke Woolies for me. ALDI, IGA and Coles far better quality and value anyway.
Victor
Won’t shop there anymore. Will shop for meat at a local butcher
NannyState
So Woolworths you think it’s OK to alienate people who like Australia Day? Bad move – woke = broke.
Butt out, Dutton
Raquel
Dutton shouldn’t have called for a boycott of Woolies. That’s a leftist activist cancel culture tactic and not befitting a prospective leader of our country.
John
Dutton is an opposition man He is a posturer for votes. I am a proud Aussie. But I don't look for shops who sell aussie gear. I do not need to wave a flag or wear a Special T-shirt or hat.
Doglover
Mr Dutton, we can better support Australia, and everyone in it, by not boycotting Woollies, but by stopping giving 3% of the population so much influence in how all Australians live, think, celebrate and buy.
What a joke
Gavin
The worm has certainly turned on cancel culture and the industry of the perpetually outraged. Every day in the news there seems to be a new topic where much the same group of people express their outrage and how they just can’t take it anymore.
Gary
Yep. The way this country is going. what will be next. Bad move Woolworths.
Jeanette
I’m switching to Coles and buying local where I can. Companies should not be pushing political woke agendas
Graham J
I certainly back a boycott of “Unaustralian “ Woolworths. Let’s all boycott them and buy from our local small businesses, markets and suppliers that fly the Australian Flag on Australia Day.
Bernadette
So Woolies will boycott Australia Day but happily sell American Halloween merchandise with no pang of conscience about what it represents.
David
Big W = Big Woke. I’m offended Woolworths. It’s not your role to tell me what to think.
About time!
John
Thanks for the leadership on this Mr Dutton. Woolworths should be condemned for this insult to ordinary Australians.
Studious
Brilliant. Now all the oldies will go somewhere else to shop and we’ll be able to get up and down the aisles. Ty Woolies
Jenni
This isn’t about whether I support Australia Day it is about a retailer and company making decisions for us That is not on – l would spend over 20 k a year at Woolworths and I certainly will be boycotting
Deborah
Well done Dutton, a firm position to support Australia and peoples choices rather than Labor that like to tell people what to do
John from Abbotsford
Wow Dutton the only un-woke politician in Australia, he has my vote. Quickest way to fix the Australia Day carry on change the name to Australian Day that then includes everyone.
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