Outspoken media commentator Prue MacSween has criticized a small group for inflaming the Australia Day debate, saying the majority of the public were “fed up with it”.
Last year, major retailers pulled Australia Day merchandise from shelves, claiming the decision was a result of “slumping sales”, but it was widely seen as a capitulation to pressure from those pushing an anti-Asia agenda. -Australia Day.
Woolworths was one of the companies that ended sales of green and gold or Australian flag products.
Now the supermarket giant has reversed that decision and said items will return to shelves before January 26.
Woolworths revealed to Daily Mail Australia on Wednesday that its supermarkets and Big W stores will offer a special “Perfect for Australia Day” section during the month.
Although the deals will mainly be food, customers will also have the opportunity to pick up an Australian or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flag while they shop.
Conservative commentator Prue MacSween said Woolworths’ change of course was not a surprise as Australians were “fed up” with companies dictating social values.
“When did corporations, banks, people like Woolworths and pubs decide that they are the authority and can dictate to the rest of us how we should think and feel?” she said The daily telegraph.
Outspoken media commentator Prue MacSween said Australians were “fed up” with being told how to celebrate Australia Day.
Mr MacSween said he was not surprised that major retailers such as Woolworths had stepped back from their decision to stock Australia Day products after receiving a deluge of backlash last year.
“We are tired of being accused of being racist, of being guilty of something, of being greedy, heartless, and we are not.”
He added that the public was “simply fed up” with prudish corporations and said they would do well to focus on more immediate priorities, such as reducing their ever-increasing prices.
Regarding the Australia Day debate, Ms MacSween said the public should not be made to feel like they are at odds with their own government and businesses just because they want to celebrate a national holiday.
“They (Labor) have no idea what they have done to Australia,” MacSween said.
He added corporations such as Woolworths (pictured) should not have the authority to dictate how everyday Australians should think and feel about the national holiday.
“All of this adds to our angst and the fact that we resent companies like Woolworths, companies like Wesfarmers, who tell us we are imbeciles, idiots and selfish bastards.”
A Woolworths spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia on Wednesday that last year’s decision to remove the merchandise had been prompted by “a decline in demand in our stores”.
However, this time the company’s outlets will “celebrate Australia Day as a team and with our customers.”
“We listened and recognized that many customers and teams wanted us to do more to help them celebrate the day,” the spokesperson said.
‘In our supermarkets (Woolworths), we will be doing this through the lens of great Australian food that is perfect for Daytime, while BIG W will also be showcasing products perfect for family and friends gathering over the Day long weekend. from Australia.
‘Customers can expect to see ‘Perfect for Australia Day’ sections in our supermarkets and BIG W ahead of the day.
‘Members of our store team can also celebrate the day in store. We respect everyone’s decisions about how they choose to spend their day.’
The spokesperson added that individual team members could also celebrate the day in the store.
“Our position is aligned with the National Australia Day Council’s theme of the day: reflect, respect and celebrate,” he said.
The Australia Day debacle ultimately led to the resignation of then Woolworths group chief executive Brad Banducci.
Australia Day marks the day of the arrival of the First Fleet into Sydney Harbour, marking the beginning of British colonization of Australia.
Those who oppose the celebration say it is disrespectful to the country’s aborigines who lost land and were subject to a foreign power.