Woolworths apologises for inadvertently stocking 'unacceptable' xenophobic singlet
Updated
National supermarket chain Woolworths has apologised for "inadvertently" stocking a singlet which says "if you don't love it, leave" alongside a picture of the Australian flag in two of its stores.
A photo of the singlet has gone viral on social media since it was posted on Sunday afternoon on Twitter by Canberra man George Craig.
The 29-year-old was in the Queensland town of Cairns on an end-of-season fishing trip with his football team when he spotted the offending item in the Woolworths store on Spence Street.
"I was with a bunch of blokes on a footy trip, not one thought it was appropriate," Mr Craig told the ABC.
"We were genuinely shocked, not just that the sentiment still exists, but that such a huge company with huge reach across a diversity of communities would stock the product."
Dozens of people took to Woolworths' Facebook account to criticise the supermarket giant over the singlet, with many labelling it racist.
"I hope you lose customers over this. How irresponsible, divisive and narrow-minded. Disgusting," one person wrote.
Another wrote: "Your singlets saying 'If you don't love...leave' are disgusting and divisive. Please withdraw then from sale at once."
Singlet 'inadvertently' stocked: Woolworths
A Woolworths spokesman said the shirt was stocked inadvertently in the Cairns shop and another in Sydney.
"It has come to our attention that two Woolworths stores were inadvertently stocking a singlet that we consider totally unacceptable," the spokesman said.
"The singlet was not one we ordered. It was delivered to us in error and should never [have] been allowed on our shelves.
"We will review our processes to ensure this sort of error cannot happen again."
The spokesman said the singlet had already been withdrawn from shelves.
"The sentiment expressed on the singlet does not reflect the views of Woolworths," the spokesman said.
"Woolworths has a policy of doing the right thing, which means we believe in fostering an environment where everyone is treated with dignity, courtesy and respect."
Melbourne MP and Australians Greens Deputy Leader Adam Brandt shared Mr Craig's image on his own Facebook page, attracting more than 1,200 comments.
"Hundreds of you shared the image, called Woolworths and posted on their Facebook page. Thanks for standing up for inclusion and acceptance - Woolworths have listened," he wrote.
Rival supermarket chain Aldi earlier this year withdrew a controversial Australia Day T-shirt from sale following an outcry on social media.
The German discount supermarket chain had offered the T-shirt, emblazoned with the slogan "Australia Est. 1788" - a reference to the year the First Fleet landed in Sydney - as part of a range of Australia Day items.
Retail giant Big W followed Aldi's lead and withdrew the same shirt.
Feck - We should even find a way to add this line to our national anthem.
Replies
It's not racist it's divisive.
I'm a Anglo Australian and there are parts of Australia that I don't like but I'm not going to leave.
This shirt is offensive because people who claim to be proud Australians use it as a slogan to harass minority groups in the community who they think don't fit the bill of being Australian either because of their race, appearance, dress, or political views.
If you alienate people it makes them hateful and can lead them to extremism
If you talk to people you share anything in common then they feel included and a part of society.
. Que Trolls
It is offensive because of the people who honestly believe it and use it against people based on their beliefs or heritage.
If it was just a singlet with a bit of cheeck than no one would mind but the problem is the bogans who would by it and wear it believing it.
The irony for me is the whole love it or get out. Is if people really love it they would embrace the change not fear it. Fear holds you back and will hold your country back. If they love it so much they shouldn't hold it back instead they should leave.
Offside why should anybody embrace people coming to this country who dont respect our way of life, who attack our freedom and what our soldiers died for?
The message on the T-Shirt is not directed at people who want to come here and embrace this country, its directed at those who come here and attack our way of life, what in the feks wrong with saying if you dont like it leave.
If someone flat out hates here than yes. But if people are here trying to make a new life while still keeping a sense of their self than they should be supported.
But im a old fashioned atheist leftie.
Christ we argue over petty things these days. Not only do I want to go back to the 80's cause Parra were the best, but this nonsense did not exist.
Funny thing is if a bogan wears it to single out minority's, it becomes an oxymoron. If you don't love the fact Australia has a diverse multi-cultural, ever changing society, leave.
Spot on ham, a simple slogan wth no racist intension as its not directed at any particular race, just people who dop noot appreciate tge country. That's like saying texters ad carboard is racist because they can be used to write racist messages. A omplete ver reaction.
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