Stand by for photos of Chris Minns on Friday’s public holiday. Might we assume he’ll be wearing sartorially questionable green and gold thongs, a pair of boardies (perhaps emblazoned with the Australian flag) and brandishing a Southern Cross stubby holder to keep his alcohol-free beer cold?
This is no judgment on the premier’s taste. But he did, after all, weigh into the debate over whether Woolworths should be stocking Australia Day-themed paraphernalia. Minns defended Australians’ right to access their regalia, so we can “take a well-earned day off after a tough couple of years”.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, with NSW Premier Chris Minns at the Bill Crews Exodus foundation lunch in Ashfield on Christmas Day.Credit: Nick Moir
Odd and surprising were his words to describe the supermarket giant’s decision to do away with selling overseas-made plastic Aussie flags and cheap footwear, which the retailer says people don’t want anyway. (The Kmart group made the same decision about Australia Day merchandise last year.) Nonetheless, Minns reckons: “In 2024, I would’ve thought there was enough demand from customers for Australia Day products.”
Suddenly, and presumably accidently, Minns found himself siding with Peter Dutton in the tedious annual debate about how we refer to January 26. Although, unlike the federal opposition leader, Minns did not go full throttle and suggest we should vote with our reusable shopping bags and boycott Woolworths.
Minns, however, didn’t stop at retail analysis. He also had a strong view on Cricket Australia’s plan to avoid mentioning Australia Day when the last Test of summer starts on Thursday. Minns was quick to describe Cricket Australia’s decision as “extremely strange”. “They should mention it,” he told 2GB’s Ben Fordham this week. “This is a day for us all to celebrate with family and friends and recognise that we live in the greatest country on earth – I’ll definitely be doing that.”
Some of his Labor counterparts were less inclined to buy into the Australia Day furore. In Queensland, where the Test will be played, Premier Steven Miles’ contribution was to say he didn’t hold “particularly strong” views on Cricket Australia’s decision, and he urged politicians to “watch their language” and avoid divisive rhetoric. In Victoria, Premier Jacinta Allan dodged questions about Melbourne’s Australia Day parade not returning (it is the responsibility of the city council) and reminded people that there are many events on around her state, while acknowledging that for some “Australia Day is a difficult day”.
However, the biggest point of difference was between Minns and Anthony Albanese, who has resisted repeated demands from Dutton to condemn Woolworths as well as Cricket Australia and the Australian Open, which will stick with its decision before last year’s tournament and make no reference to Australia Day on Friday.
The prime minister has not slammed Woolworths (or Aldi, which has taken the same merchandising decision). Albanese has described January 26 as an “important day”. He has also suggested that we should all stop searching for reasons to be “outraged”. But the prime minister’s stance, or lack thereof according to Dutton and others, has left him exposed to accusations that he has bowed to woke demands or, worse, failed to stand up for his country.
Why Minns might wear green and gold thongs, but Albanese won’t
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24.01.2024
Stand by for photos of Chris Minns on Friday’s public holiday. Might we assume he’ll be wearing sartorially questionable green and gold thongs, a pair of boardies (perhaps emblazoned with the Australian flag) and brandishing a Southern Cross stubby holder to keep his alcohol-free beer cold?
This is no judgment on the premier’s taste. But he did, after all, weigh into the debate over whether Woolworths should be stocking Australia Day-themed paraphernalia. Minns defended Australians’ right to access their regalia, so we can “take a well-earned day off after a tough couple of years”.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, with NSW Premier Chris Minns at the Bill Crews Exodus foundation lunch in Ashfield on Christmas Day.Credit: Nick Moir
Odd and surprising were his words to describe the supermarket giant’s decision to do........
© The Sydney Morning Herald
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