Is Woolworths’ decision to dump Australia Day merchandise this year a woke decision that will draw the ire of customers?

Or is it a sensible call in a bid not to divide a nation that is struggling to find an appropriate day to acknowledge its history?

My view here is irrelevant; although, for the record, I fall into the latter camp.

But the utter lack of leadership that envelops January 26 – the day in 1788 that Arthur Phillip raised the British flag in Sydney Cove – is incomprehensible.

If Prime Minister Anthony Albanese believed the nation should fly the flag later this month, why wouldn’t he say that with conviction and passion?

And if he believes that we shouldn’t, because of the heartache it causes some Australians, then why won’t he say that, and open the batting on serious discussions for a new date?

Instead, the Prime Minister has taken a big step back on an issue he should not, and passed the buck to others like local councils, retailers, schools and communities to make that decision.

It’s a recipe for disaster,........

© The New Daily