A spokesperson for Myer has tried to backpedal away swiftly from CEO Bernie Brookes' controversial comments about the NDIS, but social media users don't seem convinced by the quasi-apology.
Myer chief executive Bernie Brookes yesterday complained that the $350 a year taxpayers will contribute to the Government's proposed National Disability Insurance Scheme "is something they would have spent with us", and that it was "not good for our customers and may have an impact", because apparently the right of disabled people to live with dignity isn't as important as Bernie Brookes' right to sell you a fucking microwave.
Because there is some hope for society, many Facebook and Twitter users — fresh from reading Stella Young's incredibly persuasive piece in favour of the NDIS scheme — treated Brookes' comments with the derision they deserved, leading a Myer spokesperson to post the following statement to Facebook.
"Like everyone we are absolutely supportive of any well constructed support for those with disabilities and that view seems reflected across the community. As a business however, we remain sensitive to imposts on the consumer by the Government, for whatever purpose, as this adds to negative consumer sentiment and that adversely impacts sales, profit and jobs. Ideally, we would like any government initiative to be funded within the revenue stream it has, rather than through a new or additional tax take.
"Thanks for the opportunity to give some substance to comments perhaps taken out of context."
Here's the thing, though: "My comments were taken out of context" isn't some magical get-out-of-jail-free card that excuses you from taking responsibility for any incredibly unpopular and tonedeaf statement you feel like making. This is especially true when your attempt to provide the correct "context" for your statements actually proves that, no, you weren't taken out of context at all; particularly when your so-called apology sees you repeating the same sentiment that got you into trouble in the first place.
A quick glance at the comments on Myer's Facebook page — or the hashtags #Myer and #NDIS on Twitter — shows that this "non apology apology" hasn't exactly made things easier for Myer, and might have actually made things worse.
What's the bet that David Jones executives are being told to stay very, very quiet right about now?
