Nationals leader David Littleproud: ‘There are plenty of other pubs that want to celebrate our nation’

The foreign-owned hospitality giant is under pressure to “put its money where its mouth is” and not impose the fees after facing major backlash over its Australia Day controversy.

Australian Venue Co is refusing to say if it will scrap the 15 per cent public holiday surcharge from transactions on Australia Day, despite banning celebrations at more than 200 of its pubs and bars.

The foreign-owned hospitality giant is under pressure to “put its money where its mouth is” and not impose the fees after facing major backlash and community threats of boycotts over its controversial approach to January 26.

The company was forced to apologise this week after the Herald Sun revealed it had decided not to “specifically celebrate a day that causes hurt for some of our patrons and our team”.

But Nationals leader David Littleproud slammed the nation’s second largest pubs group – which has previously marked “world lasagne day” at its venue The Espy in St Kilda – as “hypocrites”.

The Espy in St Kilda celebrated ‘world lasagne day’. Picture: Commercial Real Estate

Mr Littleproud said the fact that they were prepared to cancel Australia Day in their venues but willing to cash in on the money from the surcharge showed why Australians had had “a gutful of corporates telling us how we should live”.

“There are plenty of other pubs around the country that want to celebrate our nation for what it is and what we have achieved – warts and all,” he said.

“The behaviour of Australian Venues Co epitomises the behaviour of corporate Australia. We saw it during the Voice (referendum).

“They are using what they perceive as moral issues for what they believe will be their own corporate gain.”

David Littleproud says Australian Venues Co ‘epitomises the behaviour of corporate Australia’. Picture: Martin Ollman

In an embarrassing apology on Monday, a spokesperson for the Hong-Kong owned company said it was not their “intention to offend anyone”.

“We sincerely regret that – our purpose is to reinforce community in our venues, not divide it. It is not for us to tell anyone whether or how to celebrate Australia Day,” the spokesperson said.

“Whether you choose to celebrate Australia Day or not, everyone is welcome in our pubs, always.”

Australian Taxpayers Alliance president Brian Marlow also joined growing calls for the surcharge on transactions to be canned.

“No way should a pub whack on a 15 per cent surcharge if they’re actually going to turn around and say ‘oh but actually we hate this country so we’re not going to celebrate it,” Mr Marlow said.

Australian Venue Co chief executive Paul Waterson.

“A lot of these pub owners bitch and moan that their pubs are struggling and it’s hard to keep their businesses open, meanwhile they want to slap people in the face who want to go to the pub on Australia Day.

“You need to celebrate this country.”

Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister, Patrick Gorman, said Australia Day was a day for all Australians to reflect, respect and celebrate.

“While there are different views on Australia Day, I encourage every single Australian to treat hardworking retail and hospitality workers with respect at this time and throughout the year,” Mr Gorman said.

Australian Venue Co was contacted for comment.