Australia Day celebrations banned at 200 pubs and bars
The controversial decision will impact some of Australia’s most popular pubs, with some slamming the move as “divisive” and “condescending”. Take our poll and see the full list of venues.
NSW
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Australia Day celebrations have been banned at more than 200 pubs and bars nationwide because owners say the day causes “sadness” and “hurt” for some patrons.
The nation’s second-biggest pubs group, Australian Venue Co, has informed managers there will be no celebrating or acknowledging of the day at their premises in 2025.
The contentious decision will impact some popular Sydney pubs including Cargo and Bungalow 8 in Barangaroo, Kingsleys in Woolloomooloo and The Rook in the CBD.
It will also impact some of Victoria’s most popular pubs including The Esplanade Hotel and Prince of Wales in St Kilda, the Duke of Wellington and Garden State Hotel in Melbourne.
Other venues include The Colonist and the Parkside Hotel in Adelaide along.
The Port Office Hotel and iconic Regatta Hotel in Brisbane will also be affected.
An Australian Venue Co spokeswoman said it celebrates “what makes Australia great” in its venues throughout the year.
“Australia Day is a day that causes sadness for some members of our community, so we have decided not to specifically celebrate a day that causes hurt for some of our patrons and our team,” she said.
The company owns almost 60 venues in Victoria, at least 90 in Queensland, almost 20 in South Australia and 10 in Sydney.
Its ban on Australia Day celebrations is the latest in a string of organisations, including Woolworths, abandoning the national day.
Woolworths and Aldi’s decision this year to no longer stock Australia Day merchandise was met with calls to boycott the major supermarket chains.
Indigenous leader Warren Mundine said the nonsense that goes on in these “woke” companies was becoming a joke.
“The real reason is they just hate the country,” Mr Mundine said.
“They hate Australians, they hate Australia, and that’s why they do these things.
“Don’t bother about having a drink in their venues, piss these bastards off.
“Let’s all just go down to the beach, chuck a lamb on the barbie with a few sausages, and get some takeaway from a (venue) that actually cares about this country - not a hater of Australians - and we’ll have a great time.”
Wurundjeri elder Ian Hunter said the decision was “condescending”.
Mr Hunter said his family and people in remote communities celebrate Australia Day by playing football and having barbecues.
“It’s the urban lefties … the white people (that) are pushing for this,” he said.
“It is condescending, they think we are doing the best thing for Indigenous peoples.”
On Monday, NSW Premier Chris Minns weighed in on the country’s second biggest pub group’s controversial decision.
Mr Minns said he hoped Australian Venues Co would reconsider their Australia Day ban, saying the celebration was a critical day in the country’s calendar.
“I think it’s still an important day for the country,” he said.
“I don’t think you can have a sense of national purpose unless you can rally around these important national days on the annual calendar,” he said.
“These are matters for private companies - we don’t dictate from the government when and where people should celebrate but I don’t think it’s what the majority of the people of thee state or the country agree with.
“I’m hopeful they’ll reconsider it but we won’t mandate that they have a party, that’s up to them.”
Former Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett described the Australian Venue Co decision as “extraordinary” and “divisive’’.
“They are totally out of touch with the community,’’ he said.
“If no one wants to participate in Australia Day celebrations at one of their venues that would be fine.
“But have they learnt nothing from the Woolworths mistake?’’
Australia Day marks the arrival of the First Fleet on January 26, 1788 and the raising of the Union Jack in Sydney Cove by Arthur Phillip.
But protesters claim it is a “day of mourning” for Indigenous Australians because it celebrates colonialism and genocide.
A Victorian government spokesman said the decision not to commemorate was a matter for those commercial venues.
“The Victorian government supports Australia Day events that celebrate and encourage reflection, togetherness and inclusion,” he said.
“We also recognise that January 26 means different things to different people.
“On this day, we encourage conversation and reflection on the different meanings of the day for all Victorians.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has repeatedly rejected calls to change the date.
More than 80 councils nationwide have canned citizenship ceremonies on Australia Day.
But Opposition immigration spokesman Dan Tehan last year promised that a future Coalition government would force councils to hold them on Australia Day.
jade.gailberger@news.com.au
Originally published as Australia Day celebrations banned at 200 pubs and bars
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