‘Australians should boycott Woolworths’: Peter Dutton slams ‘woke’ Woolworths on its decision to ditch Australia Day merch

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has sided with the “vast majority” of Australians, sharing his displeasure after Woolworths confirmed its decision to ditch its Australia Day product range.

Mr Dutton said Brad Banducci, the CEO of Woolworths, was “very forward-leaning” when it came to the Voice to Parliament debate.

“Remember, Big W stores were broadcasting not just a Welcome to Country… but also preaching that you should vote for the Voice,” Mr Dutton told 2GB.

The leader of the Coalition said it should be up to customers to decide whether they wanted to buy Australia Day products 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.

Mr Dutton advised customers to go to IGA, Coles or Aldi until “we get common sense out of a company like Woolworths”.

“I don’t think they should be supported by the public… it seems that these CEOs are out to try and please the Prime Minister with these stupid decisions,” he said.

“For Woolworths to start taking political positions to oppose Australia Day is against the national interest, the national spirit.”

Mr Dutton voiced his support for the majority of Australians who went to Woolworths to buy groceries at the “cheapest possible price” while many were “struggling to pay the bill” due to cost of living pressures.

“If it’s your decision not to celebrate Australia Day, well, that’s not something I agree with, but that’s your decision and I respect that,” he said.

The Opposition Leader called on the Woolworths chief executive to reverse the “bad decision” as it damaged the supermarket’s brand and embarrassed the employees, adding that the Prime Minister should say something about it.

“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 and pleasing the union bosses in the super funds who invest into these big companies,” he said.

“I think the customer should have the final say here, and that’s why I think people should take their business elsewhere.”

Mr Dutton noted the Prime Minister spent almost $450 million on the referendum while many Australians realised they were not alone in thinking “this was a bad idea” amongst their peers.

“For these companies to continue to act the way that they do, the customers need to send a very clear message to them that nonsense has to stop. If you’ve got spare time and you’ve got spare cash, bring down the prices of your items and provide support to families, Mr Dutton said.