Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has apologised for accidentally mixing up his multi-national food chains.

Mr Shorten was left red-faced has after accidentally accusing Subway of ripping off its staff – the brand he meant to criticise was 7-Eleven.

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Mr Shorten told a media conference in Sydney on Wednesday: “We’ve all been appalled and disgusted by the scenes at Subway – thousands of people are being ripped off.

“
However, he later apologised on Twitter saying he meant to say 7-Eleven.
 “Is it lunchtime yet? Might grab a sub,” Mr Shorten wrote.

@MarkDiStef Apologies to @SubwayAustralia, I meant to say @7elevenAus. Is it lunchtime yet? Might grab a sub.

— Bill Shorten (@billshortenmp) September 2, 2015

7-Eleven store owners have admitted to short-changing staff wages by thousands of dollars.
 The Opposition Leader was lampooned on Twitter.

A joint Four Corners and Fairfax Media report exposed the wrongdoing. Mr Shorten said he was appalled by the worker rip-offs at 7Eleven stores.

“Why is the government so quick to pile in on its political opponents but missing on action when workers are being exploited?” he said in a statement.

“If this brings more attention to the plight of these workers, then I welcome that.”

– with AAP