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‘Show some respect’: Warren Mundine clashes with Indigenous activist during heated Australia Day debate
Two prominent Indigenous leaders have become embroiled in a tense debate on Australia Day, disagreeing on Woolworth’s controversial move to drop patriotic merchandise from its shelves.
Indigenous activist Jay Walton appeared alongside former ALP national president Warren Mundine on a panel discussing the national day on Friday.
The conversation quickly turned heated when Mr Mundine was questioned about the supermarket giant’s controversial move.
“People have a point of view, and they have a right to their point of view … what the hell have the corporates have to do with what we want to do as Aboriginal people?” Mr Mundine told Sky News host Erin Molan.
“It’s about time these corporates stop lecturing to us.
“Stop thinking they’re the font of all knowledge and actually started listening to their customers and their staff.”
Referring to recent calls to boycott Woolworths, Mr Mundine said it was not something he agreed with as he felt most of the company’s staff did not agree with their management’s decision to not stock Australia Day merchandise.
Mr Mundine called for a “sensible, mature conversation” about Australia Day.
“This is becoming very vitriolic and I think we need to step back and cool down about it.”
Mr Walton then jumped in, explaining he felt many companies pivoting from the traditional stance on Australia Day demonstrated a “genuine commitment” to effect change and was about “having compassion and listening to some people”.
“In part, I do agree with some of the things that Warren just said then,” he said.
“But I don’t think they (the corporations) are out of touch with the customers.”
Mr Mundine said he supported Australia Day but has called for changing the date on many occasions.
“I want to celebrate Australia Day, I want to change the date of that day. 20 years I’ve been doing this, not 20 minutes … There is a small cohort of people, and they are the corporates, who don’t want us to celebrate Australia Day,” Mr Mundine said.
“They haven’t learnt their lesson. Last year we had a referendum where the Australian people had a chance at the Voice, and over 60 per cent of them rejected the Voice to Parliament.
“It’s about time these corporates stop lecturing to us. Stop thinking they’re the font of all knowledge and actually started listening to their customers and their staff.”
Mr Walton earlier in the discussion drew attention to the Union Jack on the Australian flag and said the British symbol alienated some groups.
He said many Indigenous people felt the flag did not “represent” them.
“I love a party, I love a day off, let’s get on with it, but how can we cohesively have a party together with our Indigenous friends?” Mr Walton said.
“I know you may not be offended by it Warren but you know people and I know people, including myself, including members of my family, who’ve got pain around it, because this country … (was) settled on this day on 1788 with no permission, no invite from Indigenous people.”
Mr Mundine issued a swift response.
“All this week and in every interview I’ve said ‘change the date’, so he’s picking a fight for nothing,” he said.
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