Newtown pub bans the flag on Australia Day

The Newtown Hotel’s stand on Australia Day has caused a storm, with a decision to ban Australian flag attire and accessories dividing local opinion.

The hotel is no stranger to controversy, hitting the headlines last year for its ‘F**k the Cup’ event for the Melbourne Cup.

Using Facebook again, the hotel announced that it “respectfully declines to be part of the 26th of January as the land was not ceded”.

An Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander History Facebook group thanked the hotel for its “solidarity and for being culturally appropriate on this Invasion Day, much respect”.

Others were not so supportive.

“Can’t wear the Australian flag in Australia? Ridiculous,” wrote one man.

Another woman wrote: “They still wanted to rip people off with drink and food prices. Hypocrites. I wont [sic] be going there Australia Day or any other day.”

Another comment on the hotel’s Facebook page read: “If you are the hotel which banned Australia Day then I will never enter a foot at your door and trust me, neither will my friends. How totally unAustralian of you! Disgusting”.

Sheridan Randall, 29^th January 2019