Scott Morrison Slams People Who Have Been Stockpiling Supplies During Coronavirus Outbreak

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has slammed people who have been hoarding supplies during the coronavirus outbreak.

Photos and videos have been uploaded to social media show empty supermarket aisles because some bought more than they need for a 14-day self-isolation.

Some supermarkets have introduced restrictions to prevent this, however shoppers still manage to get around the rules.

During his lengthy press conference, Mr Morrison has called this type of behaviour 'un-Australian'.

"On bulk purchasing of supplies: Stop hoarding. I can't be more blunt about it. Stop it. It is not sensible, it is not helpful and it has been one of the most disappointing things I have seen in Australian behaviour in response to this crisis," Mr Morrison said.

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"That is not who we are as a people. It is not necessary. It is not something that people should be doing.

"What it does is it is distracting attention and efforts that need to be going into other measures, to be focusing on how we maintain supply chains into these shopping centres.

"There is no reason for people to be hoarding supplies in fear of a lock down or anything like this. As I have said, we're putting in place scalable and sustainable measures.

"I am seeking Australia's common-sense cooperation with these very clear advisory positions. Stop doing it. It's ridiculous! It's unAustralian, and it must stop, and I would ask people to do the right thing by each other in getting a handle on these sorts of practices.

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"Also: Do not abuse staff. We're all in this together. People are doing their jobs. They're doing their best.

"Whether they're at a testing clinic this morning. Whether they're at a shopping centre. Whether they're at a bank, a train station, everybody is doing their best. So let's just support each other in the work that they are doing."

Woolworths, Coles and IGA were forced to introduce a dedicated shopping hour for elderly and vulnerable people to ensure they could get their groceries done.

Authorities have told Aussies that if everyone buys just what they need then there will be plenty of food and supplies to go around.

Supermarkets say empty shelves aren't due to a lack of supply, just difficulties in getting the products from the distribution centres to each store.

So please, be kind to one another.

Topics: Food, News, Coronavirus, Australia

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie is a Trending Journalist at LADbible. His first job was as a newsreader and journalist at the award winning Sydney radio station, Macquarie Radio. He was solely responsible for the content broadcast on multiple stations across Australia when the MH17, Germanwings and AirAsia disasters unfolded. Stewart has covered the conflict in Syria for LADbible, interviewing a doctor on the front line, and has contributed to the hugely successful UOKM8 campaign.

@stewartperrie