One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has criticised Australian supermarkets over the use of 25-cent paper bags, calling them “flimsy” and overpriced, and demanding a return to plastic bags.
In a video posted to her Please Explain Facebook page following a shopping trip in Canberra on Monday, the Queensland Senator showed a Woolworths paper bag with a torn handle, expressing frustration over the bag’s durability during a time of rising household expenses.
“I’m sure most of you have found yourself in my shoes with these stupid, flimsy paper bags from the supermarkets,” Hanson wrote in the caption.
“They fleece you 25 cents for every bag, only for them to break before they make the kitchen bench. I’m over them! You can’t tell me they cost the supermarkets 25 cents each either. It’s highway robbery for cheap rot that isn’t saving the planet.”
Hanson ended her post with a call to “bring back” plastic bags, despite data showing single-use plastic is a major contributor to environmental pollution.
In the video, she added, “Of course, I had to buy it, because I am in Canberra and I didn’t carry my own bag with me, but this is what you have to put up with.”
She also noted her anger at the situation given the country’s current cost-of-living pressures, stating she was “so angry” about the bag splitting.
Single-use plastic bags have been banned in all Australian states and territories since June 2022, with New South Wales the last to enact the legislation.
Coles and Woolworths first began phasing out free plastic bags in 2018, introducing reusable plastic alternatives for 15 cents.
In 2023, both major supermarket chains removed the reusable plastic option, replacing it with paper bags made from 100 per cent recycled material — now sold for 25 cents each.
While other options such as tote bags and cooler bags are available at a higher price point, the recycled paper version has prompted ongoing complaints from shoppers who argue it is not durable enough to carry groceries.
Hanson’s video quickly went viral, generating over 14,000 comments in less than 24 hours as Australians weighed in on the paper versus plastic debate.
Some users criticised the Senator’s remarks, arguing that bringing reusable bags is a simple, environmentally responsible solution.
“Nah not plastic bags, just take your own reusable bags,” one person wrote.
“Those old supermarket plastic bags used to deteriorate fairly quickly,” said another.
“Pauline … use reusable bags woman. Not that hard. Plastic is a real problem in our water ways with our marine life. Beaches. Get your self organised not rocket science.”
“25c is a fortune?????? I hope you don’t drink coffee. No perspective Pauline,” another added.
“Just buy your own reusable bags. Seriously, it’s not that difficult.”
“I think the point being missed is charging for the bags is the incentive to bring your own bags,” one user observed.
Others supported Hanson’s frustration, agreeing that the recycled bags often tear and aren’t worth the cost.
“Pay for paper bags that fail, to carry home all my plastic wrapped grocery items, makes zero sense to me,” one person said.
“Free bags for everybody,” another declared.
“People spend a lot of money in Woolworths and Coles, the bags should be free, this is a joke.”
Some also questioned the contrast between Hanson’s complaints and her shopping choices, poking fun at the perceived irony.
“Complaining about cost of living while pulls out the eye fillet is gold,” one user commented on TikTok, where the video was also shared.
“Those thick-cut steaks must have been really heavy,” another joked.
Prior to the national ban, Australians were using over 9.7 billion single-use plastic bags each year.
A 2016 report by the NSW Environmental Protection Authority estimated that 75 per cent of that plastic came from supermarkets.
According to a Science Advances study, if plastic production continued at the same rate, Australia would generate 12 million kilograms of plastic waste by 2050 – the equivalent of 1.8 billion African elephants, as noted by Greenpeace in 2017.
Images: TikTok
