Prue MacSween says what everyone is thinking about Australia Day debate

By ANTOINETTE MILIENOS, NEWS REPORTER, AUSTRALIA

Published: | Updated:

Outspoken media commentator Prue MacSween has called out a small group for inflaming the Australia Day debate and claims the majority of the public were 'sick of it'. 

Last year, major retailers pulled Australia Day merchandise from shelves, claiming the decision was a result of 'declining sales', but it was widely regarded as a capitulation to pressure from those pushing an anti-Australia Day agenda. 

Woolworths was one of the companies to end sales of green-and-gold or Australian flag goods. 

Now the supermarket giant has backflipped on that decision and such items will return to the shelves ahead of January 26. 

Woolworths revealed to Daily Mail Australia on Wednesday its supermarkets and Big W stores will be offering a special 'Perfect for Australia Day' section for the month.

Although the offerings will be primarily food, customers will also have the chance to pick up an Australian-made Australian or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flag while doing their shop.

Conservative commentator Prue MacSween said Woolworths' reversal  was no surprise as Australians were 'sick' of companies dictating social values.

'When did corporations, banks, people like Woolworths and pubs decide they're the authority and could dictate to the rest of us how we should think and feel?' she told The Daily Telegraph. 

Outspoken media commentator Prue MacSween said Aussies were 'fed-up' with being told how to celebrate Australia Day

Outspoken media commentator Prue MacSween said Aussies were 'fed-up' with being told how to celebrate Australia Day 

Ms MacSween said she was not surprised major retailers, such as Woolworths, had backflipped on their decision to stock Australia Day Merchandise after receiving a barrage of backlash last year

Ms MacSween said she was not surprised major retailers, such as Woolworths, had backflipped on their decision to stock Australia Day Merchandise after receiving a barrage of backlash last year 

'We're fed up to the back teeth with either accused of being racist, guilty of something, greedy, heartless and we aren't.' 

She added the public had 'simply had enough' of sanctimonious corporations, and said they would be well advised to focus on more immediate priorities such as reducing their endlessly escalating prices.

When it comes to the Australia Day debate, Ms MacSween said the public should not be made to feel they are at odds with their own government and businesses just because they want to mark a national holiday. 

'They (Labor) have no idea what they've done to Australia,' Ms MacSween said.

She added corporations, like Woolworths (pictured) should not have the authority to dictate how everyday Australians should think and feel about the national holiday

She added corporations, like Woolworths (pictured) should not have the authority to dictate how everyday Australians should think and feel about the national holiday

'This is all adding to our angst and the fact we resent companies like Woolworths, companies like Wesfarmers, all of them telling us that we're imbeciles, morons and selfish bastards.' 

A Woolworths spokesman told Daily Mail Australia on Wednesday that last year's decision to pull merchandise had been driven by 'a decline in demand in our stores'. 

However, the company's outlets will be 'celebrating Australia Day as a team, and with our customers' this time around.

'We listened and recognised that many customers and teams wanted us to do more to help them celebrate the day,' the spokesman said.

'In our [Woolworths] supermarkets, we will do this through the lens of great Australian food that is perfect for the day, while BIG W will also showcase products perfect for family and friends coming together over the Australia Day long weekend.

'Customers can expect to see 'Perfect for Australia Day' sections in our Supermarkets and BIG W in the lead up to the day.

'Our store team members are also welcome to celebrate the day in-store. We respect everyone's choices in how they choose to spend the day.'

The spokesman added individual team members were also free to celebrate the day in-store.

'Our position is aligned with the theme for the day from the National Australia Day Council - reflect, respect and celebrate,' he said.

The Australia Day debacle eventually led to the resignation of then Woolworths group chief executive Brad Banducci.

Australia Day marks the day of the arrival of the First Fleet in Sydney Harbour, marking the start of British colonisation of Australia.

Opponents of the celebration say it is disrespectful to the country's Aboriginal people who lost land and became subject to a foreign power. 

Woolworths

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