Anthony Albanese’s government is speaking out on Australia Day after Woolworths and Aldi stop selling merchandise
The Albanian government has condemned Peter Dutton for misplacing his priorities after he called on Australians to boycott Woolworths over the supermarket’s decision to recall Australia Day merchandise.
Woolworths, Big W and Aldi have all announced they will not be selling Australia Day themed items ahead of the bank holiday.
This was his opposition leader Peter Dutton who rejected the decision and called for a boycott of Woolworths.
Agriculture and Emergency Situations Minister Murray Watt joined the debate, saying it was up to individual supermarkets to sell what they wanted.
“We don’t live in a kind of country where governments dictate what supermarkets should sell to people,” he told Sunrise on Friday morning.
Minister for Agriculture and Emergency Services Murray Watt appeared on Sunrise on Friday morning and slammed the Opposition for their response to Woolworths opting out of Australia Day merchandise sales
“I think the real issue this week is that this really shows Peter Dutton’s priorities when it comes to the new year.”
The government announced this week that it has arrested former Labor MP Dr. Craig Emerson had been appointed to conduct an investigation into the way supermarkets are operating amid the cost of living crisis.
“This week Peter Dutton has to talk about the kind of thongs and flags that supermarkets sell,” Watt said.
“So I really think it has to do with the priorities that Peter Dutton and the Coalition have, that they want to come out and divide Australians, and continue with the same negativity that we’ve always seen.
“Instead of addressing the real issues Australians face when it comes to supermarkets, which is the prices they charge.”
Woolworths, Big W and Aldi have all announced they will not be selling Australia Day themed items ahead of the bank holiday
Mr Watt added that the Government supports keeping Australia Day on January 26, saying he would celebrate the national day and urged Australians to buy local produce.
Celebrating Australia Day has become a divisive issue in recent years, especially among younger generations.
A growing number of Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians regard January 26 – the day the first fleet of British ships landed – as Invasion Day.
Mr Dutton said that while it is up to customers to go to stores and buy merchandise, “I think people should boycott Woolworths.”
“Until we get the common sense out of a company like Woolworths, I don’t think they should be supported by the public,” Dutton said.