Hayes shows resume with Coles, Kmart and roadhouse after being accused of ‘belittling’ retail profession

FANNIE Bay candidate Tracey Hayes has taken a swipe at the national retail workers’ union after it criticised one of her political advertisements

FANNIE Bay candidate Tracey Hayes has taken a swipe at a major Australian union after it criticised one of her political advertisements.

The advertisement in today’s NT News focused on the differences in ‘life experience’ between Ms Hayes and current member for Fannie Bay, Chief Minister Michael Gunner.

It highlighted Ms Hayes’ former role as the chief executive of the NT Cattlemen’s Association and personal and professional achievements, while in contrast featuring Mr Gunner’s degree in arts and former job at Big W.

She was accused of a “pathetic attack” on the retail profession by the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees’ Association (SDA), the union for retail workers.

This ad by @TraceyHayesNT in today’s @TheNTNews is an absolute disgrace.

She might think her experience has a CEO makes her better than a retail worker, but if this pandemic has taught us anything - the opposite is true. pic.twitter.com/QP5TtZ1g9X

— Josh Peak (@Josh_Peak) August 12, 2020

Ms Hayes said the claim was “rubbish” and said persistent personal attacks and political comparisons only increased her drive.

“Disgusting and vile personal attacks on myself and my family on day one of voting has hardened our resolve and reinforced our family’s decision to push for a change in politics,” she said.

“So far we have encountered fake Facebook accounts making cowardly and personal posts against myself and my boys and their deceased dad, bullies on motorbikes wearing face masks to cover their identity making threatening gestures as they ride by roadsides and the polling station and a car constantly driving by my home all designed to intimidate.

Tracey Hayes took a swipe at the SDA after it criticised one of her political advertisements.

“And now … A political comparison post between myself and my opponent pointing out working life experience before politics is now being used to try and whip up outrage and framed as an attack on retail workers.”

Ms Hayes also highlighted her work experience in retail.

“One of the constant criticisms we hear of the current government and cabinet is the lack of capacity. Hence, the economic performance we have seen including loss of retail jobs with businesses closing,” she said.

“The funny thing is I have had lots of retails jobs including Coles, Kmart and the Oodnadatta Pink Roadhouse.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner’s “life experiences” in the advertisement were a degree in arts and a retail job at Big W. Picture: Katrina Bridgeford.

“Unions and Labor making elitist and false claims are simply rubbish. Take a breath everyone. Only 10 days to go.”

SDA secretary Josh Peak described the advertisement as a “disgrace”.

“It’s an absolute kick in the guts to the thousands of hardworking retail workers across the NT,” he said.

“No retail worker should feel ashamed of the essential work they do, but Tracey Hayes should be ashamed of her pathetic attack.”

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“Tracey Hayes clearly has no idea what retail workers have been through over the past few months.”

In a post on Facebook, Mr Gunner said he treasured his experience in retail.

“After finishing high school I chose to stay here and do my uni here. And I chose to pay my way through uni by stacking shelves at Big W,” he said.

“At Big W I made lifelong friends. Many of whom have gone on to other careers elsewhere - law, science or they chose public service like I have. Some proudly stayed on in retail.

“I have never been prouder of the people doing the hard work in retail.”

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