Should employees be fired for refusing service over politics? THIS Subway flag row divides Australia

Content warning: This article contains offensive language and references to political extremism.

A Brisbane Subway became an unexpected flashpoint for Australia’s simmering political tensions.

What started as a simple lunch order quickly turned into a viral confrontation that has sparked nationwide debate.

On 31 August 2024, a Subway employee refused to serve customers carrying Australian flags, telling them the flag 'p***** me off' and calling them names too offensive to print in a family publication.

The exchange was filmed and shared widely, costing the worker her job and igniting debate over discrimination, workplace conduct, and political expression.

The customers had just attended the 'March for Australia' rallies, a series of protests across Australian cities that day.

Organisers framed the events as community concern about immigration policy, but critics and experts described them as far-right and white nationalist.

An ABC News investigation linked rally organisers to Neo-Nazi groups, including the National Socialist Network, whose leader Thomas Sewell spoke at the Melbourne rally.

Brett Sengstock, 33, attended the Brisbane march and decided to test the Subway employee after hearing reports of a similar incident.

The confrontation escalated quickly.

When asked why she refused service, the employee said bluntly: 'Because that flag p***** me off.'

She added: 'You've got a Union Jack flag and the people organising this are Nazis. They said bring the Eureka flag, which is white nationalism. This is black land.'

The worker continued, calling customers offensive names and saying: 'Australia does not f****** exist.'

Sengstock’s response, 'What's in your brain?' reflected the bewilderment felt by many viewers of the footage.

Subway acted swiftly, confirming the employee had been terminated.

A company spokesman said: 'The conduct of the individual involved does not reflect the values or standards of Subway. The safety, dignity and comfort of every guest is paramount, and we do not tolerate discrimination, harassment or aggression of any kind.'

The incident occurred amid heightened tensions in Australian communities.

Influencers and community leaders had urged certain groups to stay home for safety, and social media posts warned of a 'dangerous' anti-immigration message on 31 August.

The government condemned the protests as 'Un-Australian.'

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said: 'You're speaking to someone called Albanese. We've got a Senate leader called [Penny] Wong. Migration enriches. Except for the First Australians, we're all either migrants or descendants of them.'

The Scanlon Foundation’s late-2024 survey found social cohesion at a record low.

While most Australians support non-discriminatory immigration policies, anti-immigration attitudes correlated with economic and housing concerns rather than diversity issues, with 49 per cent believing immigration levels were too high.

Experts called common myths about migrants 'nonsense,' noting that fear of being left behind drives much of the sentiment.

The Subway incident reflects the challenge of navigating political polarisation in everyday life.

For older Australians, the episode may feel especially disconcerting, recalling a time when political debate was more civil and workplaces had clearer boundaries between personal beliefs and professional conduct.

The Subway flag incident highlights how political beliefs can quickly turn everyday interactions into heated confrontations.

A similar clash over free speech recently unfolded on national television, showing that disagreements over politics are not limited to workplaces or public spaces.

Exploring this story provides another perspective on how political expression can spark debate and controversy.

Read more: Former prime minister sparks fiery debate with TV host: 'We believe in free speech'

How do we maintain civility in public spaces when personal beliefs collide with professional duties and community tensions?