Australia Day celebrations banned at 200 pubs and bars
A move by the nation’s second-largest pubs group to ban Australia Day celebrations at its venues has been slammed as “divisive” and “condescending”. SEE THE LIST
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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 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 with Bungalow8 and Cargo in Sydney.
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.”
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan said the decision was for the owners and commercial operators of the venues.
“For some, there is the opportunity to celebrate the things that make us strong and united,” she said.
“We do know that it’s a difficult day for some and there’s the opportunity for that day to be a day of reflection.”
Ms Allan said she would continue to proudly celebrate Australia Day.
“I’ve participated in many Australia Day events over decades, and I plan to continue into the years ahead,” she said.
“I’m focused on supporting the Australia Day events calendar that we are working on with the Victorian community.”
Earlier, 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.
Senior Labor minister Bill Shorten said it was not compulsory to go to a particular bar.
“How people want to celebrate Australia Day is up to them,” Mr Shorten said.
“I can understand the pain and trauma for First Nations people.
“It is not compulsory to celebrate Australia Day and Australia Day is not illegal either.”
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.
jade.gailberger@news.com.au
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