‘Woke Agenda’: Opposition Calls for Boycott of Supermarket Giant Amid Australia Day Controversy

People queuing at Woolworths at West Torrens in Adelaide, Australia on Nov. 18, 2020. Kelly Barnes/Getty Images

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has called on shoppers to boycott supermarket giant Woolworths after it declined to stock Australia Day merchandise.

The supermarket giant has decided not to sell any products celebrating the national public holiday on Jan. 26.

Australia Day commemorates the arrival of the First Fleet on Jan. 26, 1788, and the raising of the flag by Arthur Phillip at Sydney Cove.

Mr. Dutton said it was up to people what they buy, but encouraged the public to stay away from Woolworths in light of the decision.

“I think it’s up to customers whether they want to go in and buy the product or not. If they don’t want to celebrate Australia Day, well that’s a decision for them, but I think people should boycott Woolworths,” Mr. Dutton said on 2GB radio.

“Other companies haven’t done it and on that basis, I think Australians should boycott Woolworths. I think Brad Banducci (the Woolworths CEO) should come out and announce that he’s reversing the decision.”

However, Agriculture Minister Murray Watt accused Mr. Dutton of being caught in a “culture war” saying the federal Labor government was focussing on inflation.

“Our government is focused on the prices that supermarkets charge, Peter Dutton is focused on the kind of thongs that supermarkets sell,”  he said in quotes reported by Sky News.

Woolworths confirmed Australian flags were sold at its retail chain Big W throughout the year, but they would not be stocking any extra Australia Day merchandise ahead of the public holiday.

“While Australian flags are sold within Big W all year round, we don’t have any additional themed merchandise available to purchase in-store in our supermarkets or Big W ahead of Australia Day,” a spokesperson said in a statement provided to the Epoch Times.

“With food at the heart of our grocery business, our focus is on offering customers food and produce for all occasions, including Australia Day.”

Australian Opposition Leader Peter Dutton speaks to the media during a press conference at Brisbane Airport in Brisbane, Australia on Aug. 30, 2023. AAP Image/Darren England

Woolworths Says Interest Waning, Calls Australia Day Contentious

The supermarket said demand for Australia Day merchandise has fallen in recent times and referenced “discussion” in the community.

“There has been a gradual decline in demand for Australia Day merchandise from our stores over recent years. At the same time there’s been broader discussion about 26 January and what it means to different parts of the community,” Woolworths said.

“We know many people like to use this day as a time to get together and we offer a huge variety of products to help customers mark the day as they choose. Woolworths and Big W celebrate the best of Australia every day, and we’re proud to support the farmers, producers, and suppliers who work with us.”

Coles, the major competitor to Woolworths in Australia, is planning to stock a “small” range of Australian-themed merchandise in January.

“We are stocking a small range of Australian-themed summer entertaining merchandise throughout January which is popular with our customers for sporting events such as the cricket and tennis, as well as for the Australia Day weekend,” a spokesperson told The Epoch Times.

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson claimed Australia Day was “under attack” by out-of-touch big businesses.

She said the last major national poll on this issue showed 62 percent of Australia’s support a national day on Jan. 26.

“Today I was in a Bunnings store, where an employee told me staff had been instructed to wear no items associated with celebrating Australia Day because it might offend someone.

A spectator wears Australian flags during the fourth round singles match between Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Alex de Minaur of Australia during day eight of the 2023 Australian Open at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia on Jan. 23, 2023. Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

“I’m the one who’s offended by Woolworths and Bunnings, along with a lot of other Australians born and raised here, and I‘ll certainly be reconsidering where I’ll be shopping from now on. If there are people who find Australia Day offensive, they are welcome to find another homeland.”

The opposition leader also raised concerns that corporations were signing up to the “woke” agenda of the Labor government, led by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

“I think the prime minister, frankly, needs to call it out because these CEOs do believe that by making these crazy decisions, somehow they’re signing up to the woke agenda of Anthony Albanese.”

While Mr. Albanese has not commented specifically on supermarkets stocking Australia Day material, he has made a recent statement on supermarket pricing.

Pedestrians walk past a Woolworths supermarket in Sydney, Australia, on Aug. 24, 2022. Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images

Supermarket Review

The Albanese government announced a review of the Food and Grocery Code on Jan. 10, to be headed by former Labor Minister Craig Emerson.

Prime Minister Albanese said the government would not hesitate to take action if needed.

“We have been clear—if the price for meat and fruit and vegetables is going down at the farm gate then families should be seeing cheaper prices on supermarket shelves too. Supermarkets have a duty to make sure they’re providing affordable options for all Australians, especially when they’re making savings on their own costs,” he said.

“We’ve made looking after consumers a key priority over the past 18 months, and we’ll keep looking at every option to make sure Australians aren’t paying more than they should, or getting less than they deserve.”