Myer in Social Media Storm over NDIS Comments.

[grandmoon]

Myer CEO Bernie Brookes has apologised "to those who may have been offended or hurt" by his comments on the National Disability Insurance Scheme, but reiterated his concerns that a levy would be bad for business.

Myer, Australia's largest department store chain, has been weathering a storm of social media criticism after Mr Brookes told a Macquarie Investment seminar on Wednesday that the estimated average of $350 a year that people will pay for the Medicare levy "is something they would have spent with us".

The comments were seen by some as the retail giant putting profit before the interests of millions of Australians who would benefit under the scheme.

On Thursday morning, Mr Brookes emailed a statement, saying: "I want to make it clear that Myer supports the introduction of an NDIS.  Like many Australians, we support a scheme like the NDIS that will support the needs of individuals, families and carers for those with a disability.

"As a business, we are sensitive to imposts on the consumer by the government 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.

"However, I do apologise to those who have taken offence to my comments about an increase in taxes," Mr Brookes concluded.

The original Fairfax Media story containing Mr Brookes' comments was tweeted more than 1000 times with a...

Comedian and disability advocate Stella Young led the charge with a tweet that gained the most traction, being retweeted more than 200 times

"Oh come ON! Seriously? … DISABLED PEOPLE ARE YOUR CUSTOMERS TOO! #BoycottMyer #NDIS"

Deirdre Rose tweeted: "#BernieBrookes concerns will become a self fulfilling prophesy. I wont shop at #Myer again. And its entirely his own fault.#boycottmyer."

Citizen Dan tweeted: "I'd imagine that Myer's is going to have a VERY disappointing Mother's Day trade this year. #boycottMyer."

Boycott Myer sites popped up along with numerous threads of fierce criticisms on other social media.

On Thursday morning, Myer posted a message on their Facebook site saying the company supports the NDIS, while suggesting the comments were taken out of context.

"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," the statement read.

But the clarification only further enraged NDIS supporters.

Rachelle Cooke posted a Facebook response: "I don't think it is appropriate or professional for your company to be making political statements. I don't feel it will be good for your consumer sentiment. Disappointing Myer."

Clinical Senior Lecturer at Deakin University School of Medicine Michael Vagg wrote on The Conversation website blog that he was lost for words.

"I simply can't imagine how a wealthy middle-aged man like Mr Brookes who has climbed the corporate ladder and been a huge beneficiary of our generous tax and superannuation concessions to the top 10 per cent of earners could gripe and rail against a measure which would bring his company a huge windfall."

Critics also referred to a report from August 2011, when Myer extended Mr Brookes' contract through to August 2014 with a sal...

Myer's Facebook page, predominantly used to promote Myer's retail offerings, was bombarded with criticisms from irate NDIS supporters.

Susan Currie, from Brisbane, posted: "Your explanation about your comments on losing money to disability does not hold water. As a long-term regular Myer shopper, I will no longer be shopping with you."

Read more: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/business/myer-in-social-media-storm-over-ndis-comments-20130502-2iu4...

[ladydeburg]

The excoriating hatred  & outrage that twitter & fb produces should be directed at the likes of that troll Deveney for the stuff she said.The man has apologised, a thoughtless remark. Did Deveney apologise NO.

fyi I go into Myers & DJ's all the time for their excellent service, quality items & a pleasant environment.

[purplecarrot-top]

fyi I go into Myers & DJ's all the time for their excellent service, quality items & a pleasant environment.

You obviously do not go to the ones I go to. Service is now almost non-existent in Myer.

[izabsmiling]

Petition by Graeme Innes, Disability Employment Commissioner - Australia

Myer: show us a real commitment to people with disabilities -- increase disability employment to 10% by 2015

Myer CEO Bernie Brookes comments saying a levy to fund the National Disability Insurance Scheme is "not good for our customers" and "is something that would have been spent with us" are incredibly disappointing. 

Mr Brooke's comments demonstrate a lack of support for Australians with disability, half of whom live below the poverty line -- and a lack of understanding of how Australians with disability can positively contribute to our community with appropriate support from an NDIS. An apology for those who may have been offended does not undo the damage these comments have caused.

I therefore call on Myer to rectify the damage these comments have caused by committing to an employment target of 10 percent of people with disability by the end of 2015. This would be a real demonstration of Myer commitment both to people with disability and the broader Australian community.

[izabsmiling]

PCT, I don't go very often .My Mother shops there often.She finds the service better than I do.I don't always have time to get dressed up.

[twinkles**stars]

We recently had a new Myer store open at our nearest large shopping centre. It's very nice, the staff are pleasant and friendly. But I do not find that at Eastland where staff seem invisable or chatting amonst themselves.

[twinkles**stars]

Do people dress differently if they visit Myer of David Jones than normal shopping?

[izabsmiling]

TS,Some people' dress up' for shopping ..some may not.I go as I am.

[cherry*135]

fyi I go into Myers & DJ's all the time for their excellent service, quality items & a pleasant environment.

You obviously do not go to the ones I go to. Service is now almost non-existent in Myer.

I agree. The service and staffing level in our Myer has been bad for years.  There isn't enough staff at the counters, they don't know much about what specials they have on, so can overcharge if you don't watch them, not very helpful.

We are getting a new Myer closer, so be interesting to see if they are any better. It will be smaller than the city one.

DJ's have cut staff levels too. They also put new staff on counters that don't know the products they are selling. The more experienced staff member in that section just leave the new person to it without support.  I lodged a complaint last year and the person dealing with it admitted they had staffing problems.

[cherry*135]

I would wear different clothes around home than I would to go out, including going shopping.

[monman12]

OH dear, what a silly/unthinking statement from  the CEO.

Logically there is an element of truth in what he stated, because if more money is to be extracted from taxpayers there will be less available for retail expenditure.

Now we have the spectacle  of some indignant ants scurrying around (indignant ants?)  announcing that they will not shop at  Meyers anymore, who might they effect first? the staff and shareholders I would suggest.

This gave me a chuckle, from  an earlier post:

Clinical Senior Lecturer at Deakin University School of Medicine Michael Vagg wrote on The Conversation website blog that he was lost for words.