The Albanese government has spoken out about the decision of some retailers not to stock Australia Day merchandise, taking the chance to pile on the Opposition.
Woolworths, Big W and Aldi have all announced they will not be selling any Australia Day themed items ahead of the national holiday.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton blasted the decision and called for a boycott of Woolworths.
Agriculture and Emergency Management Minister Murray Watt weighed in on the debate, saying it was up to the individual supermarkets to sell what they want.
‘We don’t live in a kind of country where governments dictate what supermarkets have to sell to people,’ he told Sunrise on Friday morning.
Agriculture and Emergency Management Minister Murray Watt appeared on Sunrise on Friday morning and blasted the Opposition over their response to Woolworths opting out of selling Australia Day merchandise
‘I think the real issue here this week is that this really shows the priorities of Peter Dutton when it comes to the new year.’
The government announced this week it had appointed former Labor MP Dr Craig Emerson to conduct a review into how supermarkets operate amid the cost-of-living crisis.
‘This week, what Peter Dutton has got to talk about is the kind of thongs and flags that supermarkets sell,’ Mr Watt said.
‘So I really think it goes to the priorities that Peter Dutton and the Coalition have, that they want to get out there and divide Australians, continue with the same negativity we’ve always seen.
‘Rather than facing the real issues facing Australians when it comes to supermarkets, which is the prices that they’re charging.’
Woolworths, Big W and Aldi have all announced they will not be selling any Australia Day themed items ahead of the national holiday
Mr Watt added the government supports keeping Australia Day on January 26, saying he would be celebrating the national holiday and urged Aussies to buy local produce.
Celebrating Australia Day has become a divisive issue in recent years particularly among younger generations.
A growing number of Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians see January 26 – the day the first fleet of British ships landed – as Invasion Day.
Mr Dutton said that while it was up to customers to go into stores and buy merchandise, ‘I think people should boycott Woolworths’.
‘Until we get common sense out of a company like Woolworths, I don’t think they should be supported by the public,’ Mr Dutton said.
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