Man Charged for Vandalising Woolworths Store After Australia Day Merchandise Controversy

A Woolworths Metro store has been tagged with profanities and pro-Australia Day graffiti In Brisbane, Australia, on Jan. 15, 2024. AAP Image/Darren England

A 40-year-old Brisbane man has been arrested and charged with wilful damage for allegedly vandalising a Woolworths store on Jan. 15.

According to Queensland Police, it was alleged that the man arrived at a Woolworths Metro store in the Brisbane suburb of Teneriffe at around 5 a.m. on Jan. 15 and sprayed messages such as “5 days 26 Jan Oi Oi Woolies [expletive] u” and “Boycott Woolies” on the store’s windows.

The man was also said to have burned a flare at the front door, causing the fire alarm to go off and forcing nearby apartment residents to evacuate.

The flare was put out shortly after that, and police and fire service were called to the scene to investigate the incident.

A Woolworths spokesperson told The Epoch Times no injuries were reported and that the store was reopened for business on the same morning.

Following an investigation, police arrested the man at his residence in Ormiston at 7:45 p.m. on Jan. 15.

The man will be due to appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Feb. 21.

Australia Day Merchandise Saga

The arrest comes following Woolworth’s contentious decision not to stock merchandise for the upcoming Australia Day, such as flags and plushies.

The supermarket giant cited declining sales over recent years as the main reason for its decision.

Australia Day, observed annually on Jan. 26, is the country’s national public holiday and commemorates the arrival of Captain Arthur Phillip’s First Fleet in 1788.

While the majority of Australians support Australia Day, there has been a rising movement among some advocacy groups and members of the public labelling it “Invasion Day,” leading to calls for a boycott.

In recent years, many large Australian corporations, including Qantas and Virgin, have appeared to distance themselves from Australia Day by not celebrating the public holiday.

Woolworth’s move was later followed by supermarket chain Aldi and prompted strong criticisms by many Australian politicians.

During an interview with 2GB Radio, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton urged Australian shoppers to boycott Woolworths.

Mr. Dutton’s calls were echoed by One Nation leader Pauline Hanson and former Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce, who denounced the supermarket giant for its political stance.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese warned that a boycott against Woolworths and other supermarkets could have a significant impact on their employees.

Australian Retailers Association CEO Paul Zahra also supported Woolworths’ decision, saying the supermarket chain knew what it was doing.

“Retailers will often make business decisions around societal issues that align with their company values and the expectations of their customers and staff,” he said, as reported by the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper.

“Corporations today are increasingly engaged in societal issues, reflecting their own values and the expectations of their stakeholders, which include customers, employees and the communities in which they operate.”