Australians have exposed a major issue with a lot of the merchandise sold for our national holiday – the fact that it has mostly been made in China.
Debate has surrounded buying Australia Day-themed items and outfits for January 26 after major retailers like Woolworths, Kmart and Aldi all announced they wouldn’t be stocking any merch.
Those who are still keen to celebrate the holiday have complained about not being able to find any items that were actually made on home soil.
‘Love my Australia Day merchandise that’s all made in China,’ one person said on Facebook.
‘Show your Australianness by paying full retail on made in China items you get for 49c on wish,’ joked another.
‘Chinese must laugh at us we can’t even make our own merchandise for our national day,’ said another.
‘Chinese made Australia Day merchandise. Nothing says Australia like cheap flags to show your patriotism,’ one wrote.
One Coles shopper shared photos of some of the Australia Day-themed items on offer at the supermarket this week.
While all had been designed in Australia, their labels showed that they had been made overseas.
A pair of blue thongs were made in China, a ‘G’day mate’ shirt was made in Bangladesh, and an Australian flag that attaches to cars was also manufactured in China.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Coles for comment.
The Reject Shop, as well as Coles, are also still offering merchandise for the national holiday.
One shopper shared a TikTok from inside the store this week which had a large array of Australian items up for grabs.
The items included Australia-themed flags, cups, sunglasses, tattoos, hats, umbrellas and bow ties.
It comes after Opposition leader Peter Dutton called for Aussies to boycott Woolworths after they announced they would not be selling any Australia Day related items.
Mr Dutton said that while it was up to customers to go into stores and buy merchandise, ‘I think people should boycott Woolworths’.
‘Until we get common sense out of a company like Woolworths, I don’t think they should be supported by the public,’ Mr Dutton said.
Celebrating Australia Day has become a divisive issue in recent years particularly among younger generations.
A growing number of Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians see January 26 – the day the first fleet of British ships landed – as Invasion Day.
