Bunnings store in huge Australia Day row as staff are ‘BANNED from wearing the national flag’ on their uniform
- Bunnings reportedly told staff to avoid wearing Australian flag on Australia Day
- The directive was reportedly on a flyer for staff at the shop’s store in Townsville
- ‘Please ensure you’re not wearing a representation of the Aussie Flag,’ it read
- The flyer has since been updated and staff have been told they can wear the flag
Bunnings have come under fire after a store reportedly told workers to avoid displaying the Australian flag on Australia Day – before sensationally back-flipping.
A flyer reportedly put up for staff at the Bunnings Central store in Townsville showed workers were encouraged to mark January 26 with a series of activities – but without displaying the national flag.
The notice said the Australia Day activities included ‘Make Their Day, Community Displays, PA Games, Find the Australian Animals and Tropical Dress’.
Staff were encouraged to take pictures and post them on social media with an ‘Australia Day’ hashtag, but were specifically banned from wearing ‘a representation of the Aussie flag’.
A Bunnings store in Queensland reportedly told workers to avoid displaying the Australian flag on Australia Day
A flyer for staff at the Bunnings Central store in Townsville showed workers were encouraged to mark January 26 with a series of activities – but without the Australian flag
‘Please ensure you’re not wearing a representation of the Aussie Flag,’ the flyer read.
It’s understood the flyer has since been removed and updated, without the Australian flag directive.
A source said it was an ‘absolute disgrace’ the warehouse giant seemingly attempted to ban the flag, the Townsville Bulletin reported.
‘Even though the directive is not on the new flyer it is still implied as there is no encouragement to celebrate Australia Day or wear anything representing the Australian flag,’ the source said.
Bunnings Warehouse area manager Michael Rodwell said they would speak to staff about the matter and workers are welcome to wear the flag on January 26 – as they are every year.
‘We understand that Australia Day means different things to different people, and we always want to ensure we respect the views of all people within our communities,’ he said in a statement to Daily Mail Australia.
A source said it was an ‘absolute disgrace’ the warehouse giant seemingly attempted to ban the flag. ‘Even though the directive is not on the new flyer it is still implied as there is no encouragement to celebrate Australia Day or wear anything representing the Australian flag,’ the source said
‘Our team at the Townsville Central store is welcome to wear the Australian flag this Australia Day, as they have in previous years.
‘We will also be displaying the Australian flag as well as the Aboriginal flag and the Torres Strait Islander flags on the day as well as running team and customer activities.
‘We’ve checked in with our Townsville Central store team to clear up the matter and answer any questions they have.’
There have been growing calls to abolish annual Australia Day celebrations on January 26, with activists declaring the date to be ‘invasion day’.
The date marks the anniversary of the First Fleet’s arrival in Port Jackson, New South Wales.
Many protesters want the date to be changed to be more inclusive for Indigenous Australians.
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