ERROL PARKER | Editor-at-large | Contact
A Quiet Australian from Victoria’s sunny Sunraysia has lost control over his McDonald’s restaurant today after he and his wife were filmed racially abusing an Aboriginal man outside his home.
Former franchisees of the nation’s greatest fast-food chain, Robert Vigors and Karen Ridge, have gone into hiding following footage of their racist tirade against local Mildura artist Robby Wirramanda Knight went viral.
Because of this, McDonald’s Australia has taken control of the Mildura restaurant and will continue to operate it indefinitely.
As a Quiet Australian, Mr Vigors is required by law to be silent on a number of topics and keep opinions to himself.
He is expected to be mindful and thoughtful. Not of others, but of himself exclusively.
While McDonald’s Australia has explained today that they took control of the Mildura establishment away from Mr Vigors because “he’s a racist piece of shit” that’s “largely unfit” to enjoy the privilege of operating a McDonald’s restaurant, many in society agree than Mr Vigors is being punished for being a “loud Quiet Australian”.
The Advocate spoke briefly to Mr Vigors this morning where he explained that it was all just a misunderstanding.
He said his comments were taken out of context.
“I’ve lost everything over this,” he said.
“And I’ve done nothing wrong. I’m just an honest, hard-working Quiet Australian out here having a Go. I don’t deserve this,”
“Why is this happening to me?
Our reporter suggested that it’s happening to him because he was filmed saying some very racist things and Mr Vigors then took the opportunity to conclude the interview by hanging up the phone.
More to come.
