“We need retailers more than ever”: Brands urged to back Voice vote

The debate surrounding the upcoming Voice to Parliament vote is heating up, with proponents of both sides making their case as to what’s in the best interest of the Australian people. Oddly quiet, however, is the retail community. 

The Voice vote aims to determine whether or not there should be a First Nations’ committee advising the Australian Parliament and government as to how its operations will impact Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. 

It’s a major moment in Australian political and social history. First Nations people have largely been mistreated by the government since the dawn of colonial Australia, and previous efforts to create a bridge have inevitably been scrapped by subsequent governments, such as the National Indigenous Council and Prime Minister’s Indigenous Advisory Council, abolished in 2007 and 2019 respectively.

And while the date for the vote has not been set yet, the ‘No’ campaign has been gaining ground, with less than half of Australians polled by Resolve Strategic in June supporting a Yes vote. 

Several retailers have pledged to support the Yes campaign, and some have even pledged funding, but by and large, corporate Australia is largely staying out of the fight. 

“We need corporate Australia”

This is notable at a time when a growing number of customers say they want businesses to take a stand on issues that matter to them. In the recent past, retailers have been more than willing to stand up for LGBTQ+ rights, or support the Black Lives Matter movement in the wake of George Floyd’s death. 

The Australian Retailers Association released a position statement in May, in which CEO Paul Zahra said that the retail sector has an “obligation” to use its scale to drive positive change for mutual benefit. 

It’s fair to say, however, that the tide has begun turning against such corporate activism. Opposition leader Peter Dutton warned CEOs to stay out of the Voice debate, while a vocal group of customers don’t want to see brands support causes that they themselves don’t support.

There have been calls by conservative commentators to give companies that support the Yes vote “the Bud Light treatment” – that is, sustained boycotts, aggressive defiance, and destruction of property. 

Just last week, Woolworths-owned discount department store Big W pulled in-store announcements that voiced support for a First Nations Voice to Parliament after “objections” from staff and customers. 

“We recognise and respect our team and customers have varying views and perspectives,” a Woolworths spokesperson said.

Jason Timor, a Badu Weiben Island man and director of Indigenous-owned consultancy StoneCrab, told Inside Retail that Big W’s retraction was “mixed”.

“When you’re just trying to grab some household items […]you might not want to be bombarded with requests to support various causes,” Timor said.

“It’s important to show dedication, but sometimes it’s just not the right time or place for it. I worked with Foxtel to help steer the right message with their campaign. There was no mention of the referendum or voting yes or no, just making the point that no one should be left behind.”

However, Big W’s decision has a wider impact, and could indicate to some First Nations people that when the going gets tough, Woolworths will back away from supporting them.

Gunditjmara woman and co-founder and chief executive of Clothing the Gaps Laura Thompson told Inside Retail that the issue seems to stem from businesses not seeing a First Nations Voice to Parliament as “their responsibility”. 

“Thinking of retailers that have done advocacy well, I think of the same-sex marriage vote six years ago and how different retail spaces looked and felt. It was clear they were taking a stance in support of marriage equality,” Thompson said.

“There will not be round two at this proposed change, there will be only one chance. So, we need retailers at the bare minimum to consider their public stance on the Voice and to educate themselves and staff – beyond that we need leadership and champions who are willing to stand in solidarity alongside First Nations people in the face of racism, when it gets tough and it already is.”

Thompson noted that, as a Blak retailer, she is constantly looking for other retailers that will stand up for First Nations brands and people, and that she has noticed the silence surrounding the Voice vote from the retail community. 

Thompson said that she will remember the retailers that stand up, as well as those that don’t.

“To be outraged, particularly for a fleeting moment, is not enough,” she said.

“We need corporate Australia to create consistent pressure, use their privilege, call out behaviours, include us, centre us and continue the momentum.

“We need retailers more than ever to step up in a public position of advocacy, being loud and proud of their values and commitments as a company. After all, what are all the Reconciliation Action Plans worth if you can’t set the example and standards publicly and put your values into action?”

For what it’s worth, some brands have not been shy about broadcasting their support. Coles confirmed to Inside Retail that it supports the Yes vote, and is educating its staff to better enable them to vote with confidence. 

Wesfarmers, too, is educating its staff, and pledged $2 million to the Yes23 campaign alongside Qantas, Rio Tinto and BHP. 

Woolworths has also said it supports the vote, although Big W’s decision to pull its in-store announcements about the Voice vote has cast a shadow over this. 

Several other major retailers across Australia were contacted by Inside Retail in the lead up to this article. Most either didn’t respond, or didn’t want to comment on their stance.

The post “We need retailers more than ever”: Brands urged to back Voice vote appeared first on Inside Retail.