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Ouch! Woolworths excludes Tasmania from Australia Day merchandise

Woolworths has come under fire for selling Australia Day merchandise featuring a map of Australia – without Tasmania.

Our most southern state was excluded from the map, which featured on a cap along side the union jack and Southern Cross.

The cap features a map of Australia without our most southern state. Photo: 7News
The cap features a map of Australia without our most southern state. Photo: 7News

Tasmanians were not impressed by the exclusion, with one woman describing it as ‘cruel’.

“We should be on the map. We’re all one country aren’t we?” a man told 7 News.


“I always find it offensive,” a woman said, referring to numerous similar occurrences.

Woolworths responded to the error announcing it will withdraw the product. Photo: Yahoo7
Woolworths responded to the error announcing it will withdraw the product. Photo: Yahoo7

When contacted by 7 News, Woolworths produced the following statement:

“Woolworths is aware of the issue and in the process of withdrawing the product from our supermarket shelves.”

The cap offended many Tasmanians, although it certainly hasn't been the first time such a mistake was made. Photo: 7News
The cap offended many Tasmanians, although it certainly hasn't been the first time such a mistake was made. Photo: 7News

The Apple Isle was left off the map of Australia that featured on the swimsuits of athletes competing in the Commonwealth Games in 2014.

“I hope that it was an oversight and not deliberate. Tasmania also disappeared from Olympic medals and posters for Baz Luhrmann’s movie Australia, so it’s very disappointing that the same oversight has happened a number of times,” Tasmanian senator Jacqui Lambie said at the time.

Commonwealth Games 2014 swimsuits copped criticism after Tasmania was left off the map in the design. Photo: Getty
Commonwealth Games 2014 swimsuits copped criticism after Tasmania was left off the map in the design. Photo: Getty

In 1982, Tasmania was left out when Commonwealth Games athletes formed a giant map of Australia at the opening ceremony in Brisbane.

News break – January 19