Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin pulls merchandise from shelves amid Aboriginal flag controversy
A controversy has emerged over the use of the Aboriginal flag by superstar Lance Franklin’s clothing company, with the business electing to pull T-shirts and merchandise from the shelves in the wake of the drama.
Sydney
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Sydney superstar Lance Franklin has pulled T-shirts and merchandise from the shelves amid controversy surrounding the use of the Aboriginal flag.
Franklin’s company, Buddy Franklin Authentic, was lashed by Nova Peris — Australia’s first indigenous Olympic gold medallist and former senator — for selling T-shirts featuring the flag which were manufactured by WAM Clothing via its website.
Peris accused Franklin of a “kick in the guts” to the Aboriginal community and claimed that WAM Clothing — which holds the worldwide licence for use of the flag on clothing — for “profiting off the value of that flag”.
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But all merchandise being sold by Buddy Franklin Authentic was on Tuesday night pulled from sale.
“I have been deeply disturbed by comments targeting me about the use of the Aboriginal flag on T-shirts we produced through the only licenced and legal avenue, being through WAM Clothing, and in doing so, with full and due respect to the artist Harold Thomas,” Buddy Franklin Authentic posted on Instagram in a post closed to comments.
“Our intention was to produce the T-shirt as an expression of my cultural pride and to encourage Australians of all backgrounds to wear our flag, that is an official flag of our country, with pride.
“It was never our intention to disrespect others in Aboriginal communities, and as a result of this issue, we will not be seeking to order or sell any further T-shirts or merchandise until the matter of our flag being made freely available is resolved for the good of our people, and our country.”
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Originally published as Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin pulls merchandise from shelves amid Aboriginal flag controversy