Married At First Sight star Hayley Vernon has spoken out against Woolworths after the supermarket announced it would no longer sell Australia Day merchandise.
The outspoken adult performer expressed her frustration over the decision via Instagram Stories on Sunday, questioning why society has become so sensitive.
“Why is Australia boycotting Australia Day?” “Thank God I don't shop with them anyway,” Hayley began.
“Now I know this will be controversial for some, but when will we stop having to apologize for the wrongdoings of people many generations before us?”
Hayley said she was shocked by people's reaction to January 26 and revealed a woman who lived in her block had to apologize for suggesting her neighbors have an Australia Day barbecue.
Married At First Sight star Hayley Vernon (pictured) has spoken out against Woolworths after the supermarket announced it would no longer sell Australia Day merchandise
“She was afraid of being attacked. “FNK MADNESS,” Hayley wrote.
She also addressed the increasing political correctness in society and questioned why daycare centers say “happy holidays” to avoid upsetting people who don't celebrate Christmas.
Finally, she turned her attention to the recent rebranding of products whose names some found offensive.
The outspoken adult performer expressed her frustration over the decision via Instagram Stories on Sunday, questioning why society has become so sensitive
“There are no more Redskins or Chico Babies. “I can't really remember what they renamed them but ffs, stop all that!”
In 2020, Nestlé renamed the candy Redskins Red Ripper and Chicos Cheekies due to racist connotations of Redskins (Native Americans) and Chicos (Latin Americans).
Woolworths, which also owns Big W, shocked the country on Wednesday when it announced it would not sell Australia Day goods due to a drop in demand.
Woolworths, which also owns Big W, said on Wednesday it was withdrawing Australia Day from stores due to a “gradual decline in demand”.
Kmart made a similar announcement in 2023.
“Demand for Australia Day merchandise in our stores has gradually declined in recent years,” the supermarket giant said in a statement.
“At the same time, there was a broader discussion about January 26 and its meaning for different parts of the community.”
Woolworths' decision was met with widespread outrage, including from NSW Premier Chris Minns and millionaire businessman Dick Smith.
Australia Day, celebrated on January 26 each year, marks the landing of the First Fleet in 1788, when the first governor of the British colony of New South Wales, Arthur Philip, raised the Union Jack at Sydney Cove.
But for many First Nations people it is considered a “Day of Invasion” or “Day of Mourning,” and many are lobbying to scrap the holiday altogether or change the date.
Woolworths' decision was met with widespread outrage, including from NSW Premier Chris Minns and millionaire businessman Dick Smith
While Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has not mentioned any explicit plans to change the date, a growing number of city councils and state governments are opting to cancel traditional Australia Day activities, including citizenship ceremonies.
In recent years, Invasion Day protests have overshadowed any celebrations, with thousands taking part in rallies in major cities calling for the date to be changed.
Large protests are expected this year after the referendum to enshrine an indigenous voice in parliament in the constitution was rejected in October.