Business leaders say a call for a Woolies boycott goes too far
Leading business figures Dick Smith and Marcus Blackmore have hit out at Peter Dutton for his call for customers to boycott Woolworths over its decision to stop stocking extra Australia Day merchandise.
Vitamins magnate Marcus Blackmore says supermarkets should continue stocking Australia Day merchandise but that Peter Dutton’s call for a customer boycott of Woolworths was “a bit over the top”.
The comments escalate the stoush between the business community and the Opposition Leader, who encouraged Australians to “shop elsewhere” after the Woolworths Group revealed a gradual decline in demand and broader discussion around the meaning of January 26 prompted it to stop adding Australia Day merchandise to its shelves.
Opposition spokeswoman for Indigenous Australians Jacinta Nampijinpa Price joined Mr Dutton in calling for the boycott on Friday, which she said needed to be enforced on “those who are prepared not to be proud of this country”.
Labor and Liberal politicians, led by NSW Premier Chris Minns, also criticised the Woolworths Group for its “odd” decision, while one local council announced it would give out free Australia Day merchandise to constituents in the absence of such items being sold by Woolworths.
Mr Blackmore, a former major shareholder in the Blackmores vitamin company, said the Woolworth Group’s handling of the matter had been misguided.
“I would have thought if (Woolworths chief executive) Brad Banducci was smarter, he would have taken note of the no vote and not even ventured down there,” Mr Blackmore, a prominent supporter and donor of the campaign against an Indigenous voice to parliament, said.
“They could have reduced stock without anybody knowing about it, rather than coming out and talking about it in the media.”
But Mr Blackmore did not support Mr Dutton’s call for a boycott.
“I doubt whether I’d do it if I was him. I mean, there’s so many other things that would require our attention at the moment. There’s a certain amount of publicity seeking I suppose,” he said. “It’s a bit over the top to try and tell people not to go to Woolworths.”
Mr Blackmore was joined in his criticism of Mr Dutton by Dick Smith, founder of the nation-leading electronics company.
“I don’t support the Leader of the Opposition in this case, because he’s going to encourage people to go and buy from a foreign-owned company where all the profits go overseas,” he said.
Independent MP Zali Steggall said Mr Dutton was doing what he traditionally did.
“He’s just trying to pick an issue to get people divided and outraged,” she said.
“We are in a free country – retailers and large commercial outlets can choose to stock whatever they want.
“It’s quite interesting to see the Liberal Party wanting to dictate to a commercial entity what they should and shouldn’t be selling.
“I just wish Australians could actually be a bit more united and think beyond that kind of political manoeuvre that I think Peter Dutton is doing.”
Coles and the Reject Shop confirmed they would continue stocking Australia Day merchandise.
“A small range of Australian-themed merchandise is stocked nationally at The Reject Shop over the summer period, which is popular with our customers in celebration of major sporting events such as cricket and tennis and, for some customers, Australia Day,” a Reject Shop spokeswoman said.
One Sydney family set to become citizens said that while it hadn’t donned Australia Day merchandise before, it may choose to this year, given this national day was “a special one”.
“Being an Australian means getting to be a part of the country that I have been loving for such a long time, and I plan to spend the rest of my life here,” mother-of-two Shruti Ghate, from India, said.
Mr Minns said Woolworths’ decision had come as “a surprise” to him and expected many Australians would feel the same.
“In 2024, I would’ve thought there was enough demand from customers for Australia Day products. It seems odd not to offer your customers a few green and gold thongs or Southern Cross stubby holders as Australians take a well-earned day off after a tough couple of years,” he said.
Acting NSW Liberal leader Natalie Ward said Australians were entitled to be proud of Australia Day and not be “made to feel ashamed to celebrate”.
Federal Sydney independent MP and former businesswoman Allegra Spender warned the nation did not need a culture war that “encouraged Australians to boycott a business that employs thousands”.
West Australian independent Kate Chaney, who’s family includes several former Liberal senators and MPs, questioned the Liberal Party and asked when it “started dictating what products businesses should be selling”.
While many councils across the country will celebrate Australia Day on a different date to January 26, others such as the Liverpool City Council in Sydney have chosen to stick with the traditional day and “recommended all councils do the same”.
Along with celebrating on January 26, the Fairfield City Council declared it would make free Australia Day merchandise available to residents.
Sutherland Shire mayor Carmelo Pesce said “some businesses that have turned their backs on Australia Day will find that customers are going to take their money elsewhere”, while Perth mayor Basil Zempilas criticised Anthony Albanese for not showing more leadership on what date people should come together to celebrate Australia Day.
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