Woolworths store graffitied after boycott call

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. 

About 5am on Monday morning emergency services were called after vandals targeted a Woolworths Metro in the Brisbane suburb of Teneriffe.

They painted "5 days 26 Jan Aussie Oi Oi Woolies f*** u" on its exterior and set off a flare inside the business, which Queensland Police said was quickly extinguished.

A Woolworths spokesperson confirmed that no employees or customers were injured.

Peter Dutton.
Peter Dutton condemned Woolworths after it said it would not stock Australia Day merchandise.

"We're grateful to the police and fire brigade who attended," they said in a statement to AAP.

"There's no reason for vandalism and we'll continue to liaise with Queensland Police."

A crime scene has been declared and investigations are ongoing.

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 Mr 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 the opposition leader has previously denounced "cancel culture", he called on Australians to boycott Woolworths, decrying its decision as an "outrage" and "against the national interest".

A Woolworths store.
Peter Dutton's been urged to consider supermarket workers, after calling for a Woolworths boycott.

Other retailers including Aldi and Kmart have also revealed they will not stock Australia Day merchandise.

Mr Albanese added to the conversation on Monday, warning Mr Dutton to think about workers.

"His big statement was to call for a boycott of Woolworths as well as I assume Aldi 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."

January 26 has become the subject of increasing scrutiny as more Australians oppose that date for Australia Day and recognise the sense of mourning from Indigenous communities, who have felt the impacts of colonisation since 1788.

In recent years, Invasion or Survival Day rallies have been strongly attended across all capital cities, but many Australians continue to enjoy January 26 festivities.

Rival supermarket chain Coles will continue to sell Australia Day items.

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store