Key Points
- A Woolworths store in Brisbane was vandalised on Monday morning.
- The incident occurred after the supermarket giant announced it wouldn't stock Australia Day-themed paraphernalia.
- Peter Dutton last week called for Australians to boycott Woolworths over the decision.
A Woolworths store has been tagged with pro-Australia Day graffiti as the prime minister slammed the Opposition leader over his call for a boycott of the supermarket giant.
Vandals hit the Brisbane Woolworths Metro before opening time on Monday morning, painting "5 days 26 Jan Aussie Oi Oi Woolies f--- u" on its exterior.
A flare was also set off, prompting the temporary evacuation of nearby apartments, the ABC has reported.
Police are investigating the incident.
A Woolworths Metro store in the suburb of Teneriffe in Brisbane was tagged with profanities and pro-Australia Day graffiti early on Monday morning. Source: AAP / Darren England
"We're grateful to the police and fire brigade who attended," they said in a statement.
"There's no reason for vandalism and we'll continue to liaise with Queensland Police."
The attack came as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese warned federal Opposition leader Peter Dutton to consider the impact his boycott call could have on supermarket employees.
On Thursday, Dutton took to the airwaves to condemn the grocery giant after Woolworths announced it would not stock Australia Day-themed paraphernalia due to declining sales over recent years.
Though he has previously denounced "cancel culture", Dutton called on Australians to boycott Woolworths, decrying its decision as an "outrage" and "against the national interest".
Other retailers including Aldi and Kmart have also revealed they will not stock Australia Day merchandise.
Rival supermarket Coles will continue to sell Australia Day items.
Albanese added to the conversation on Monday, warning Dutton to think about workers.
"His big statement was to call for a boycott of Woolworths as well as I assume Audi and Kmart - they employ over 200,000 Australians," he told ABC Radio.
"He needs to explain whether that boycott is forever, or whether it's just until Australia Day and what the impact on those people who work for these companies will be."
as more Australians oppose that date for Australia Day, in recognition of the sense of mourning felt by many Indigenous communities who have experienced the impacts of colonisation since 1788.
In recent years, Invasion or Survival Day rallies have been strongly attended across all capital cities, though many Australians continue to enjoy festivities away from the protests.
