Greens councillor defends student magazine encouraging shoplifting

A Greens Councillor in Brisbane has defended an article that appeared in a student magazine which published a guide to shoplifting as the cost-of-living rises.

Jonathan Sriranganathan praised the students for their ingenuity in raising discussion surrounding poverty and the ethics of shoplifting if you otherwise don’t have the means.

“For people on really low incomes I can understand why they would do it,” he told Dee Dee on 3AW Afternoons.

“I would really discourage anyone from stealing from small businesses or independent supermarkets etc.

“But Coles and Woolworths, they are extorting people, they are ripping of their workers, they’re ripping off farmers, they’re charging through the nose and adding in fat profit margins on the stuff they’re selling.

“Honestly I don’t blame people on really low incomes from having to do that.”

Press PLAY below to hear Mr Sriranganathan’s defend the article

Image: iStock by Getty