Aldi pulls ‘racist’ Australia Day T-shirt after social media backlash

Discount supermarket chain Aldi has confirmed that it is withdrawing a commemorative Australia Day T-shirt from sale following a social media backlash.The controversy surrounded the use of the strapline "Australia Est. 1788”.The T-shirt was scheduled to go on sale this weekend ahead of Australia Day on January 26.European settlers founded the modern Australia in 1788. The continent was inhabited by its first people for in excess of 60,000 years prior to that date.

Hey, @ALDIAustralia, how can you sell a t-shirt saying "Australia Est. 1788"? Racist and wrong. http://t.co/BLVdBvBVFP

— Conrad HenleyCalvert (@conradhc) January 6, 2014

@gorgeouspalaces We apologise for any offense taken in regards to our Australia Day T-shirts. We have passed your feedback on to the team.

— ALDI Australia (@ALDIAustralia) January 7, 2014

Hey @ALDIAustralia this is historically wrong and racist. Remove them from sale. pic.twitter.com/hUNUjNcMVP

— Matt Mason (@MattM_RN) January 7, 2014

Not sure if you are aware, @ALDIAustralia - but Australia was around long before 1788. pic.twitter.com/d8hXAn5hig

— Rae Johnston (@miss_raej) January 7, 2014