Australia Day pub ban: Asian-owned company apologises as pub baron slams decision as ‘piss poor’

An Aussie publican has led a chorus of criticism over the banning of Australia Day in pubs under the umbrella of an Asian-owned company. Here’s what they said.

One Sydney pub baron has declared a competitor’s ban on Australia Day celebrations as “piss poor” while others have urged the industry to stay out of politics as Australian Venue Co copped nationwide backlash for its decision to bar January 26 events at its venues.

Yesterday afternoon, the hospitality giant issued a grovelling apology saying it “sincerely” regretted the move to ban celebrations at its 15 NSW venues and more than 100 others interstate due to concerns the day caused “sadness and hurt” among staff and patrons.

“Our purpose is to reinforce community in our venues, not divide it,” the statement from Australian Venue Co read.

“It is not for us to tell anyone whether or how to celebrate Australia Day.

“We acknowledge that and we apologise for our comments. It certainly wasn’t our intention to offend anyone.”

Daily Telegraph. 02, December, 2024. Aruna Sampath and Cormac De Ruyter, at The Wolly Bay Hotel, today, which will be celebrating Australia Day next year. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

But the company, owned by Hong Kong-based private equity firm PAG, did not reverse its decision in its apology on Monday afternoon.

Independent senator Jacinta Price called the move “absolute nonsense”, calling on executives to invest in supporting vulnerable Aboriginal communities instead.

“I mean, could this be considered foreign interference, that it’s a pub group (from overseas) … deciding for us how we should ceberate or not celebrate our national day,”Ms Price told Sky News.

“If you really cared for Aboriginal people than you care more about hurt feelings … I implore this group and others who want to do this to go and do something that will actually have a positive effect on the ground. Go and invest in rehabilitation.”

Billionaire Bruce Mathieson criticised the ban. Picture: Glenn Hampson

NSW Premier Chris Minns was among those who urged the company would “reconsider” the ban.

“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.

Pub barons were split on whether they would embrace Australia Day, but some big names were adamant venues shouldn’t make the call for punters on celebrating January 26.

Endeavour Group major shareholder Bruce Mathieson, who also owns the largest individual stake in The Star Entertainment Group, said it was “piss poor” to ban the celebrations.

“We should be celebrating it every day, not just once a year,” Mr Mathieson said.

“It’s bloody stupid of them to tell people not to celebrate it, they can go and … I won’t tell them what to do with their decision … but they can shove it.”

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Craig Laundy in in the Log Cabin downstairs bar. His family owns 50-plus venues and won’t be banning the day.

Craig Laundy, son of pub baron Arthur, whose family owns more than 50 pubs across NSW, also slammed the move, declaring: “I don’t believe businesses should get involved with politics”.

“If people want to change Australia Day, they need to get into parliament and push for change, my pubs will be celebrating Australia Day,” Mr Laundy said

Other pub and club giants were less clear on their plans for January 26, refusing to answer whether they would commemorate the day when approached by The Daily Telegraph.

Australia Day celebrations have been banned by Australian Venue Co whose pubs include Bungalow 8 in Sydney. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

Solotel which owns 26 venues across Sydney and Brisbane including The Opera Bar and The Golden Sheaf Hotel, said it was too busy ahead of Christmas to make the call, while Justin Hemmes’ Merivale group did not comment on questions on what its venues would be doing.

Endeavour Group, which owns 354 venues including the Kirribilli Hotel, the Harlequin Inn in Pyrmont and the New Brighton in Manly, said it was up to its venues to decide whether to celebrate the public holiday.

CEO of Australian Venue Co, Paul Waterson, has driven the group’s rapid growth from a small Victorian pub group to one of the country’s largest and most dynamic hospitality groups. Picture: Supplied

The Coogee Bay Hotel overlooking the Eastern Suburbs beach hedged its bets with a spokesman saying: “We don’t have any activations confirmed at this stage, however our venues will be open on Australia Day.”

But Little Jack Horner in Coogee has plans to lay on a band and promotional food offers.

“We’ll definitely put on a band and a few promotions, and throw a party, why not? Australia Day is something we always celebrate,” said co-manager Aoibheann Keenan.

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