Big W hits back at customers’ harsh 1-star reviews of book explaining the Voice to parliament

Big W has hit back at a customer who gave a scathing one-star review to a book that explains how the Indigenous Voice to Parliament would work.

Big W has hit back at a customer who gave a scathing one-star review to a book that explains how the Indigenous Voice to Parliament would work.

The customer left the brutal review of the book ‘The Voice to parliament Handbook: All the Detail You Need’ by Thomas Mayo – a key architect of the referendum – and former ABC presenter Kerry O’Brien at the start of June.

'The Voice to parliament Handbook: All the Detail You Need’ has been overwhelmed by negative reviews on Big W. Picture: Supplied.

The review has since been pushed to the top of the book’s review tab on the Big W page as the “Most Helpful Critical Review”, gaining the approval of 97 other people.

“Absolutely no detail about what changing the constitution will do,” the customer wrote.

“Was hoping to learn about what will happen when we enshrine the voice. Just propaganda and fluff.”

But, in an unexpected move from the major retailer, Big W’s brand managers replied to the customer affirming the brand’s commitment to the Voice.

“As a diverse workplace, BIG W recognises the significance of National Reconciliation Week for all Australians and as part of Woolworths Group, we are committed to Reconciliation and support the Uluru Statement from the Heart,” the reply, seen by the Daily Mail, read.

“We hope we can continue to learn together with our team, customers and communities to take actions towards a more inclusive Australia.”

A customer left a harsh review of the book. Picture: Supplied

Big W responded to the customer. Picture: Supplied

The critique, which was posted on June 7, has since been voted as ‘helpful’ by 97 other people and sits at the top of the book’s review tab as the “Most Helpful Critical Review”.

In the days since that comment landed, 36 more one-star reviews have appeared, with customers criticising the book for having “such little detail” and calling it a “waste of money, time and effort”.

According to the Daily Mail, Big W posted similar responses to some other critical reviews, including one that said the review “only gave one star because zero was not an option”.

It is unclear whether these people actually bought and read the book or were adding to the pile-on retaliating at the retailer for responding.

Would-be reviewers do not need to prove they purchased a product to leave a comment, they only need to leave a valid email address to verify their identity, according to the Big W site.

News.com.au has contacted Big W for comment on its customer review policies and in response to the criticism.

Big W responded to criticism by affirmings its stance in support of reconcilliation and teh Uluru Statement from the Heart. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Geraghty

Yet, despite the onslaught of negativity, Mr Mayo’s book has been well received by a number of other commenters on the site who say it is a “quick and easy read” and gave them a “much better understanding” of the Voice.

“At less than 100 pages it can be read in an afternoon and is filled with easy to understand information about the Voice, previous “voice” attempts and Referendums,” one five-star review reads

“Buy it, read it and pass it on. Then vote YES.”

Someone else described the book as an “excellent primer on the voice” and a “support for conversations with people still learning about the referendum”.

“If you don’t know or understand what the upcoming referendum is about, then read this book, educate yourself and make an informed decision before you vote,” another wrote.

“Thankyou Big W for making this book available to all at an affordable price and for working towards a more inclusive Australia. Will be buying more copies to pass on to others.”

Thomas Mayo came under fire last week as past comments about his vision for a post-Yes-vote Australia. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Thomas Mr Mayo, a prominent campaigner for the “Yes” vote made headlines last week when a series of unearthed tweets shared his vision of a new life if the referendum passes.

Mr Mayo said a “Blak rep body” enshrined in the Constitution – as called for in the Uluru Statement from the Heart, which he signed – would have the “resources & structure needed to unite on the priorities we collectively determine.”

“Reparations, land back, abolishing harmful colonial institutions, getting ALL our kids out of prisons & in to care, respect & integration of our laws & lore, speaking language, wages back – all the things we imagine when we demand,” he wrote.

He has echoed calls for non-Indigenous Australians to “pay rent” for living on Australian land, which he has also said he wants handed back Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people via an eventual treaty.

The Pay The Rent initiative proposes a weekly payment from non-Indigenous homeowners to a “Sovereign Body of First Nations people” who will decide where the money is allocated without government input.

The body, which is driven by the motto “saying sorry isn’t enough”, hopes to turn the scheme into an organisation that encourages all Australians to “honour the legacy of the Elders” by giving back to the land through monetary donations.

Mr Mayo’s old tweets are not his only comments about Pay The Rent resurfacing and drawing attention this week in discussions about the upcoming referendum.